Transcript Kefir Kommunity - BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium

Kefir Kommunity
S. Dellis
What is the microbial community composition of kefir grains?
J. Kidd
M. Martin
P. Worthington
Is the community static?
Variables:
Normal Cultivation
After Cultivation Shifts
Geography
Sources
Kefir Grain
Isolate LAB &
Yeast
Isolate DNA
16SrRNA/18SrRNA primers
Abstract:
Clone Library
Is the community dynamic?
Label LAB/Yeast
with GFP
Sample Tree Construction:
Genbank search for “kefir” produced 75
“hits”, which were refined to select the
six sequences identified as Lactobacillus
kefiri. Five of these six were >220 bases
in length and were subjected to a
CLUSTALW alignment.
The fermented
Isolate LAB &
probiotic milk beverage, kefir,
Yeast
from non-Kefir
Transformation
is made by grains consisting
source
of a consortium of microbes
(including lactic acid bacteria
Isolate DNA
and yeasts) surrounded by an
Sequencing
exopolysaccharide matrix. The members of
this consortium have not been fully
characterized by culture-independent
BLAST
methodologies, nor has the population
Locate GFP in
Ribosomal Database Project
dynamics of these kefir grains been
Kefir grains
determined.
Using culture-independent methodology, we
Phylogenies
population structure is altered by
propose to investigate the population
changing culture conditions. In addition, we
structure and possible dynamics of this
propose to investigate if “non-kefir associated” lactic acid
microbiological consortium under several
bacteria can become incorporated into kefir grains during culture,
conditions: from isolate to isolate locally,
using GFP labeling to reveal “microgeographic” aspects of this process, if it occurs.
from isolates at different geographical
Finally, we will develop a “virtual meeting place” for investigators interested in this
locations, and before and after changes in
phenomenon: “Kamp Kefir.” This site will contain sequence data from experiments
cultivation conditions (moving from milk to
such as we describe carried out by as many investigators as have interest in this
grape juice or sugar-water). This approach
approach, as well as information about kefir and data pertaining to this interesting
should reveal the level of population
system. The resident data will serve as an excellent teaching tool for students,
diversity among the residents of active
particularly students interested in bioinformatics, metagenomics, and related
fermenting grains, and how the
technologies, at institutions that do not have active research programs.