Analyzing Natural Product Sources in Soil-Dwelling Bacteria:Myxothiazol as a Tool for Separation, Identification, and Quantification.
Location
SU-217
Department
Chemistry
Abstract
Natural products, defined as small molecules synthesized by living organisms, including plants, invertebrates, and microorganisms, represent a rich source of bioactive compounds, many with diverse pharmacological properties. These compounds play crucial roles in ecological interactions, defense mechanisms, and adaptation strategies within their respective ecosystems. Moreover, natural products have garnered significant interest in drug discovery and development due to their potential as therapeutic agents against various diseases, including bacterial infections, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Myxothiazol, found in the soil dwelling myxobacterium StigmatellaAurantiaca, has antifungal and antibacterial characteristics in clinical trials. This research presentation will describe a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) method that may be used to separate, identify, and quantify myxothiazol. This method will be used to analyze the supernatant media for myxothiazol and other secondary metabolites where S. Aurantiaca have been grown. The project aims to learn how environmental factors, such as the presence or absence of light, play a critical role in the chemical structures and/or quantities of the produced natural products during the growth and development of myxobacteria. The findings from this research may have significant implications for drug development and biotechnology while also providing new insight into the metabolic pathways of myxobacteria.
Faculty Sponsor
Kenneth Nicholson
Faculty Sponsor
Emina Stojkovic
Analyzing Natural Product Sources in Soil-Dwelling Bacteria:Myxothiazol as a Tool for Separation, Identification, and Quantification.
SU-217
Natural products, defined as small molecules synthesized by living organisms, including plants, invertebrates, and microorganisms, represent a rich source of bioactive compounds, many with diverse pharmacological properties. These compounds play crucial roles in ecological interactions, defense mechanisms, and adaptation strategies within their respective ecosystems. Moreover, natural products have garnered significant interest in drug discovery and development due to their potential as therapeutic agents against various diseases, including bacterial infections, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Myxothiazol, found in the soil dwelling myxobacterium StigmatellaAurantiaca, has antifungal and antibacterial characteristics in clinical trials. This research presentation will describe a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) method that may be used to separate, identify, and quantify myxothiazol. This method will be used to analyze the supernatant media for myxothiazol and other secondary metabolites where S. Aurantiaca have been grown. The project aims to learn how environmental factors, such as the presence or absence of light, play a critical role in the chemical structures and/or quantities of the produced natural products during the growth and development of myxobacteria. The findings from this research may have significant implications for drug development and biotechnology while also providing new insight into the metabolic pathways of myxobacteria.