Experimental and mathematical modelling to evaluate and optimize the effectiveness of the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus as an alterna
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Sch of Biosciences
Abstract
The bacterium Bdellovibrio is a predator that kills other bacteria including plant, animal and human pathogens and has been proposed as an alternative to antibiotics. In order to use Bdellovibrio, we need to know how much it can reduce the population of prey and whether it would prefer certain prey when offered a choice from many potential prey. Does the presence of many prey species lead to better or worse performance of the predator, and how much of a problem is the presence of non-prey species? We will investigate these questions by a combination of experimental studies and mathematical modelling. Both will start with simple systems of only one prey species and move to systems with several prey species. This will allow us to understand the effect of increasing biodiversity on predator performance. Moreover, we will compare spatially mixed systems with spatially structured systems such as biofilms as pathogens forming biofilms are particularly difficult to treat. Biofilms are densely packed clusters of bacterial cells immobilized in a self-produced slimy substance. This will reveal whether the predator can more easily sense the presence of biofilms compared to single bacteria swimming around. The higher local density of bacteria in biofilms may allow the predator to survive at lower total prey numbers as potential prey are grouped together in one target. The work will contribute to assess the potential of predators to replace or complement the use of antibiotics.
Publications
Summers K
(2019)
Evolutionary strategies of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus predators and prey
in Access Microbiology
Hobley L
(2020)
Dual Predation by Bacteriophage and Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus Can Eradicate Escherichia coli Prey in Situations where Single Predation Cannot.
in Journal of bacteriology
Summers JK
(2022)
The role of mathematical modelling in understanding prokaryotic predation.
in Frontiers in microbiology
J. Kimberley Summers
(2022)
Predation strategies of the bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus result in overexploitation and bottlenecks
Summers JK
(2022)
Predation Strategies of the Bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus Result in Overexploitation and Bottlenecks.
in Applied and environmental microbiology
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M01116X/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1644294 | Studentship | BB/M01116X/1 | 04/10/2015 | 29/09/2019 | Joanna Summers |
Description | Publication of a paper on how the bacterium studied in this award could work synergistically with a bacteriophage (virus that attacks bacteria only) to eliminate a target bacterial species (E. coli). This paper was made in collaboration with the University of Nottingham who supplied the experimental data, which was modelled by the team supported by this award. For further details see the publication section Additionally the principal investigator on the award (Kim Summers) has completed a doctoral thesis and has moved onto to further academic research at the University of Warwick. |
Exploitation Route | The paper describes the first use of the researched bacterium in combination with a bacteriophage to eliminate another bacterial species and opens an avenue for other researchers to explore for the control of antibiotic resistance bacteria. The experimental chemostats developed in the course of the award can be used for other projects requiring high thought put experiments using chemostats on a limited budget. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | https://jb.asm.org/content/early/2020/01/02/JB.00629-19/article-info |
Description | AMRflows: antimicrobials and resistance from manufacturing flows to people: joined up experiments, mathematical modelling and risk analysis |
Amount | £788,545 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/T013222/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 10/2024 |
Description | Computational modelling of data collected by the Sockett lab at the University of Nottingham |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Computational modelling of data, to assist in explaining observed phenomena and determine physical parameters of the experimental system. |
Collaborator Contribution | Laboratory experiments that obtained the data being modelled. |
Impact | Production of a manuscript publish in Journal of Bacteriology and listed in this submission under publications |
Start Year | 2016 |
Title | Predator prey model for Bdellovibrio |
Description | ODE model of Bdellovibrio and/or phage predation on bacteria |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | Allows other scientists to simulate our model and build on it. |
URL | https://github.com/kreft/predatorprey |
Description | Kenilworth Centre |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | "Invisible Cities: The Miniature World of Microbes" 03 June 2018, WQBP Public Outreach event, Kenilworth Centre, organized in conjunction with Warwick Symposium on Microbial Communities |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/qbp/public/pastevents |
Description | King's Bromley Country Show |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Had a stand at a local country show aimed at engaging with the general public and in particularly the farming community to inform them about bacteria and antibiotic resistance in general and my research in particular. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Talk to small holders group in Staffordshire |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Gave a 1 hr talk and discussion on bacteria and antibiotic resistance and my research in particular to a group of ~20 small holders (individuals with allotments and some of them a small number of farm animals). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |