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Programmed Lab Experiments for Biochemical Investigation of Quorum‐Sensing Signal Molecules in Rhizospheric Soil Bacteria
Author(s) -
Nievas Fiorela L.,
Bogino Pablo C.,
Giordano Walter
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
biochemistry and molecular biology education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1539-3429
pISSN - 1470-8175
DOI - 10.1002/bmb.20949
Subject(s) - quorum sensing , context (archaeology) , coursework , quorum quenching , bacteria , computational biology , plant biology , chemistry , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemical engineering , biology , biofilm , engineering , botany , mathematics education , psychology , genetics , paleontology
Biochemistry courses in the Department of Molecular Biology at the National University of Río Cuarto, Argentina, are designed for undergraduate students in biology, microbiology, chemistry, agronomy, and veterinary medicine. Microbiology students typically have previous coursework in general, analytical, and organic chemistry. Programmed sequences of lab experiments allow these students to investigate biochemical problems whose solution is feasible within the context of their knowledge and experience. We previously designed and reported a programmed lab experiment that familiarizes microbiology students with techniques for detection and characterization of quorum‐sensing (QS) and quorum‐quenching (QQ) signal molecules. Here, we describe a sequence of experiments designed to expand the understanding and capabilities of biochemistry students using techniques for extraction and identification of QS and QQ signal molecules from peanut rhizospheric soil bacteria, including culturing and manipulation of bacteria under sterile conditions. The program provides students with an opportunity to perform useful assays, draw conclusions from their results, and discuss possible extensions of the study. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 44:256–262, 2016.