Effects of Biofilm Releasing Agents on Viability and Wound Healing In Mammalian Cells

Authors: Abeera Chaudhri, Maxwell Schmeck

Field of Study: Global Public Health; Biological Sciences

Program Affiliation: Undergraduate Research Award

Faculty Mentors: Patricia Wolfe

Easel: 62

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Over 80% of bacterial infections are associated with biofilms— communities of bacteria that form a sticky, protective extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), thus increasing biofilm’s tolerance to antimicrobial treatments. This study investigated whether known biofilm-releasing agents (fatty acid signaling molecule cis-2-decenoic acid, nutrient glutamate, environmental toxin sodium nitroprusside, and EPS degrading enzyme amylase) can affect the metabolic activity and proliferation rates of HEK-293 cells (a mammalian epithelial cell line). An XTT assay was conducted to measure cells’ metabolic rates after exposure to the releasing agents, but no significant difference in metabolic activity was indicated between HEK-293 cells treated with releasing agents and the media control group. Next, proliferation assays indicated that cell growth may not be affected by treatments at all, supporting the findings of the XTT study. These findings indicate a potential clinical application to treat biofilm associated infections in human cells.