2nd Annual Academic Symposium - David Citron & Chris Teeter

Bacteria from several locations around Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina were collected from the soil in hopes of isolating and identifying new species or strains of environmental and industrial importance. It is estimated that less than five percent of microorganisms in the natural environment have been successfully cultured. A variety of tests were conducted to determine the DNA composition and physical characteristics of the isolated colonies. After several rounds of extensive screening, a total of sixty-nine colonies were isolated. Using universal primers, the 16S rRNA gene of an isolated bacterium was amplified, sequenced and compared to the previously identified sequences.

After NCBI BLAST search, the highest sequence homology was in the 16s rRNA gene of Acinetobacter with 98% homology. The Acinetobacter genus is classified as gram negative coccobacillus that is strictly non-motile and aerobic. Physical and physiological characteristics of the unknown microorganism were identified along with type strains.