Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from recreational water in Athens, GA, using an undergraduate laboratory module
ABSTRACT We present a laboratory module that uses isolation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from locally collected stream water samples to introduce undergraduate students to basic microbiological culture-based and molecular techniques. This module also educates them on the global public health thr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Society for Microbiology
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jmbe.00056-24 |
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| author | Coralis Rodriguez-Garcia Helen Wall Elizabeth Ottesen Julie Grainy |
| author_facet | Coralis Rodriguez-Garcia Helen Wall Elizabeth Ottesen Julie Grainy |
| author_sort | Coralis Rodriguez-Garcia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT We present a laboratory module that uses isolation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from locally collected stream water samples to introduce undergraduate students to basic microbiological culture-based and molecular techniques. This module also educates them on the global public health threat of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Through eight laboratory sessions, students are involved in quality testing of water sources from their neighborhoods, followed by isolation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. By the end of the module, students should be able to isolate Enterobacteriaceae from the environment using selective and differential media, identify isolates using biochemical tests, characterize antibiotic resistance phenotypes using Kirby Bauer and MIC tests, and evaluate the presence of select beta-lactamase genes of interest using PCR. To complement laboratory sessions, students participated in a weekly flipped classroom session with collaborative peer discussions and activities to reinforce concepts applied in the laboratory. Learning outcomes were measured over four semesters with concept checks, in-lecture activities, exams, and laboratory reports. We hypothesized that more than 50% of the student population would achieve each learning objective through the implementation of this authentic research laboratory module. Here, we highlight specific questions used to assess learning objective comprehension and demonstrate that each learning objective was achieved by 65%–100% of the student population. We present a ready-to-adapt module with flexible resources that can be implemented in courses across disciplines in biology, microbiology, environmental sciences, and public health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bc0ba4d3aadf4000bd815e7b79bd0802 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1935-7877 1935-7885 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc0ba4d3aadf4000bd815e7b79bd08022025-08-20T02:18:35ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologyJournal of Microbiology & Biology Education1935-78771935-78852025-04-0126110.1128/jmbe.00056-24Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from recreational water in Athens, GA, using an undergraduate laboratory moduleCoralis Rodriguez-Garcia0Helen Wall1Elizabeth Ottesen2Julie Grainy3Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USADepartment of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USADepartment of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USADepartment of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USAABSTRACT We present a laboratory module that uses isolation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from locally collected stream water samples to introduce undergraduate students to basic microbiological culture-based and molecular techniques. This module also educates them on the global public health threat of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Through eight laboratory sessions, students are involved in quality testing of water sources from their neighborhoods, followed by isolation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. By the end of the module, students should be able to isolate Enterobacteriaceae from the environment using selective and differential media, identify isolates using biochemical tests, characterize antibiotic resistance phenotypes using Kirby Bauer and MIC tests, and evaluate the presence of select beta-lactamase genes of interest using PCR. To complement laboratory sessions, students participated in a weekly flipped classroom session with collaborative peer discussions and activities to reinforce concepts applied in the laboratory. Learning outcomes were measured over four semesters with concept checks, in-lecture activities, exams, and laboratory reports. We hypothesized that more than 50% of the student population would achieve each learning objective through the implementation of this authentic research laboratory module. Here, we highlight specific questions used to assess learning objective comprehension and demonstrate that each learning objective was achieved by 65%–100% of the student population. We present a ready-to-adapt module with flexible resources that can be implemented in courses across disciplines in biology, microbiology, environmental sciences, and public health.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jmbe.00056-24ESBLantibioticsresistanceundergraduate laboratory coursepublic healthwater quality |
| spellingShingle | Coralis Rodriguez-Garcia Helen Wall Elizabeth Ottesen Julie Grainy Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from recreational water in Athens, GA, using an undergraduate laboratory module Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education ESBL antibiotics resistance undergraduate laboratory course public health water quality |
| title | Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from recreational water in Athens, GA, using an undergraduate laboratory module |
| title_full | Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from recreational water in Athens, GA, using an undergraduate laboratory module |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from recreational water in Athens, GA, using an undergraduate laboratory module |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from recreational water in Athens, GA, using an undergraduate laboratory module |
| title_short | Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from recreational water in Athens, GA, using an undergraduate laboratory module |
| title_sort | characterization of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing enterobacteriaceae from recreational water in athens ga using an undergraduate laboratory module |
| topic | ESBL antibiotics resistance undergraduate laboratory course public health water quality |
| url | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jmbe.00056-24 |
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