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Bhattacharyya S, Bhattarai N, Pfannenstiel DM, Wilkins B, Singh A, Harshey RM. A heritable iron memory enables decision-making in Escherichia coli. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2309082120. [PMID: 37988472 PMCID: PMC10691332 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309082120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of memory in bacterial decision-making is relatively unexplored. We show here that a prior experience of swarming is remembered when Escherichia coli encounters a new surface, improving its future swarming efficiency. We conducted >10,000 single-cell swarm assays to discover that cells store memory in the form of cellular iron levels. This "iron" memory preexists in planktonic cells, but the act of swarming reinforces it. A cell with low iron initiates swarming early and is a better swarmer, while the opposite is true for a cell with high iron. The swarming potential of a mother cell, which tracks with its iron memory, is passed down to its fourth-generation daughter cells. This memory is naturally lost by the seventh generation, but artificially manipulating iron levels allows it to persist much longer. A mathematical model with a time-delay component faithfully recreates the observed dynamic interconversions between different swarming potentials. We demonstrate that cellular iron levels also track with biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance, suggesting that iron memory may impact other physiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Nabin Bhattarai
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Dylan M. Pfannenstiel
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Brady Wilkins
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
| | - Abhyudai Singh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE19716
| | - Rasika M. Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
- LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX78712
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2
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Bhattacharyya S, Bhattarai N, Pfannenstiel DM, Wilkins B, Singh A, Harshey RM. Iron Memory in E. coli. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.19.541523. [PMID: 37609133 PMCID: PMC10441380 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.19.541523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
The importance of memory in bacterial decision-making is relatively unexplored. We show here that a prior experience of swarming is remembered when E. coli encounters a new surface, improving its future swarming efficiency. We conducted >10,000 single-cell swarm assays to discover that cells store memory in the form of cellular iron levels. This memory pre-exists in planktonic cells, but the act of swarming reinforces it. A cell with low iron initiates swarming early and is a better swarmer, while the opposite is true for a cell with high iron. The swarming potential of a mother cell, whether low or high, is passed down to its fourth-generation daughter cells. This memory is naturally lost by the seventh generation, but artificially manipulating iron levels allows it to persist much longer. A mathematical model with a time-delay component faithfully recreates the observed dynamic interconversions between different swarming potentials. We also demonstrate that iron memory can integrate multiple stimuli, impacting other bacterial behaviors such as biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
| | - Nabin Bhattarai
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
| | - Dylan M. Pfannenstiel
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
| | - Brady Wilkins
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
| | - Abhyudai Singh
- Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Rasika M. Harshey
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX 78712
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3
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Li X, Lu H, Yang K, Zhu L. Attenuation of tetracyclines and related resistance genes in soil when exposed to nanoscale zero-valent iron. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 448:130867. [PMID: 36758429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotics pollution in soil poses increasing threats to human health due to stimulated proliferation and transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) is a promising material for the remediation of antibiotics, but how NZVI affects the diversity, abundance, and horizontal gene transfer potentials of ARGs remains unclear. Herein, the biotic and abiotic effects of NZVI at different concentrations on tetracyclines (TCs) and the associated ARGs were investigated. Results showed NZVI could effectively accelerate the degradation of TCs, which increased from 51.38% (without NZVI) to 57.96%- 71.66% (1-10 g NZVI/kg) in 20 days. Biotic degradation contributed to 66.10%- 76.30% of the total TCs removal. NZVI induced TCs biodegradation was probably due to alleviated toxicity of TCs on cells and increased microbial biomass and enzyme activities. Additionally, TCs-related ARGs were attenuated with decreased horizontal gene transfer potentials of intI1 and ISCR1, but opposite effects were observed for non TC-related ARGs, especially during excess exposure to NZVI. This study illustrated the possibility of remediating of antibiotic contaminated soil by NZVI and meanwhile reducing the potential risks of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Li
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang University-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou 311200, China
| | - Huijie Lu
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lizhong Zhu
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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4
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Sazykin IS, Sazykina MA. The role of oxidative stress in genome destabilization and adaptive evolution of bacteria. Gene X 2023; 857:147170. [PMID: 36623672 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The review is devoted to bacterial genome destabilization by oxidative stress. The article discusses the main groups of substances causing such stress. Stress regulons involved in destabilization of genetic material and mechanisms enhancing mutagenesis, bacterial genome rearrangements, and horizontal gene transfer, induced by oxidative damage to cell components are also considered. Based on the analysis of publications, it can be claimed that rapid development of new food substrates and ecological niches by microorganisms occurs due to acceleration of genetic changes induced by oxidative stress, mediated by several stress regulons (SOS, RpoS and RpoE) and under selective pressure. The authors conclude that non-lethal oxidative stress is probably-one of the fundamental processes that guide evolution of prokaryotes and a powerful universal trigger for adaptive destabilization of bacterial genome under changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- I S Sazykin
- Southern Federal University, 194/2 Stachki Avenue, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russian Federation
| | - M A Sazykina
- Southern Federal University, 194/2 Stachki Avenue, Rostov-on-Don 344090, Russian Federation.
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5
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Jeje O, Ewunkem AJ, Jeffers-Francis LK, Graves JL. Serving Two Masters: Effect of Escherichia coli Dual Resistance on Antibiotic Susceptibility. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12030603. [PMID: 36978471 PMCID: PMC10044975 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and their increased pathogenicity has led to a growing interest in metallic antimicrobial materials and bacteriophages as potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics. This study examines how resistance to excess iron (III) influences the evolution of bacteriophage resistance in the bacterium Escherichia coli. We utilized experimental evolution in E. coli to test the effect of the evolution of phage T7 resistance on populations resistant to excess iron (III) and populations without excess iron resistance. Phage resistance evolved rapidly in both groups. Dual-resistant (iron (III)/phage) populations were compared to their controls (excess iron (III)-resistant, phage-resistant, no resistance to either) for their performance against each stressor, excess iron (III) and phage; and correlated resistances to excess iron (II), gallium (III), silver (I) and conventional antibiotics. Excess iron (III)/phage-resistant populations demonstrated superior 24 h growth compared to all other populations when exposed to increasing concentrations of iron (II, III), gallium (III), ampicillin, and tetracycline. No differences in 24 h growth were shown between excess iron (III)/phage-resistant and excess iron (III)-resistant populations in chloramphenicol, sulfonamide, and silver (I). The genomic analysis identified selective sweeps in the iron (III) resistant (rpoB, rpoC, yegB, yeaG), phage-resistant (clpX →/→ lon, uvaB, yeaG, fliR, gatT, ypjF, waaC, rpoC, pgi, and yjbH) and iron (III)/phage resistant populations (rcsA, hldE, rpoB, and waaC). E. coli selected for resistance to both excess iron (III) and T7 phage showed some evidence of a synergistic effect on various components of fitness. Dual selection resulted in correlated resistances to ionic metals {iron (II), gallium (III), and silver (I)} and several conventional antibiotics. There is a likelihood that this sort of combination antimicrobial treatment may result in bacterial variants with multiple resistances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusola Jeje
- Biology Department, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 E Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
| | - Akamu J Ewunkem
- Department of Biological Sciences, Winston Salem State University, 601 S Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Winston Salem, NC 27110, USA
| | - Liesl K Jeffers-Francis
- Biology Department, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 E Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
| | - Joseph L Graves
- Biology Department, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 E Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
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Sanders BR, Townsend SE, Ford ML, Graves JL, Thomas MD. Reporting off-target effects of recombinant engineering using the pORTMAGE system. J Microbiol Methods 2023; 204:106627. [PMID: 36436701 PMCID: PMC9839536 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2022.106627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
pORTMAGE recombineering is a simple technique for incorporation of novel point mutations into bacterial genomes that eliminates off-target effects. Here we inserted point mutations into the cusS gene from Escherichia coli, then, using Illumina sequencing, report genetic variants in all mutant strains. Several off-site mutations were found at high frequency. Low frequency mutations also show high heterogeneity. This means that it is essential for studies to report all off-target effects and acknowledge the effect that this may have on resultant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria L Ford
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, USA
| | - Joseph L Graves
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, USA
| | - Misty D Thomas
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, USA.
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Boyd SM, Rhinehardt KL, Ewunkem AJ, Harrison SH, Thomas MD, Graves JL. Experimental Evolution of Copper Resistance in Escherichia coli Produces Evolutionary Trade-Offs in the Antibiotics Chloramphenicol, Bacitracin, and Sulfonamide. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11060711. [PMID: 35740118 PMCID: PMC9219993 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11060711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise in antimicrobial resistant bacteria have prompted the need for antibiotic alternatives. To address this problem, significant attention has been given to the antimicrobial use and novel applications of copper. As novel applications of antimicrobial copper increase, it is important to investigate how bacteria may adapt to copper over time. Here, we used experimental evolution with re-sequencing (EER-seq) and RNA-sequencing to study the evolution of copper resistance in Escherichia coli. Subsequently, we tested whether copper resistance led to rifampicin, chloramphenicol, bacitracin, and/or sulfonamide resistance. Our results demonstrate that E. coli is capable of rapidly evolving resistance to CuSO4 after 37 days of selection. We also identified multiple de novo mutations and differential gene expression patterns associated with copper, most notably those mutations identified in the cpx gene. Furthermore, we found that the copper resistant bacteria had decreased sensitivity when compared to the ancestors in the presence of chloramphenicol, bacitracin, and sulfonamide. Our data suggest that the selection of copper resistance may inhibit growth in the antimicrobials tested, resulting in evolutionary trade-offs. The results of our study may have important implications as we consider the antimicrobial use of copper and how bacteria may respond to increased use over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sada M. Boyd
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 612 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Kristen L. Rhinehardt
- Department of Computational Data Science and Engineering, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 E. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA;
| | - Akamu J. Ewunkem
- Department of Biological Sciences, Winston Salem State University, 601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Win-ston-Salem, NC 27110, USA;
| | - Scott H. Harrison
- Department of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 E. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (S.H.H.); (M.D.T.); (J.L.G.J.)
| | - Misty D. Thomas
- Department of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 E. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (S.H.H.); (M.D.T.); (J.L.G.J.)
| | - Joseph L. Graves
- Department of Biology, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 E. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA; (S.H.H.); (M.D.T.); (J.L.G.J.)
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Batool F, Iqbal MS, Khan SUD, Khan J, Ahmed B, Qadir MI. Biologically synthesized iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) from Phoenix dactylifera have anti-bacterial activities. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22132. [PMID: 34764312 PMCID: PMC8586337 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology is a vast field of science with the most vibrant and conspicuous applications. The green synthesis approach is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and produces the most stable metal-based nanoparticles without the use of toxic chemicals. This study presents the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs). For biosynthesis of FeNPs, Phoenix dactylifera extract was used as a reducing agent and iron sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO4·7H2O) was used as a substrate. FeNPs were characterized by different techniques including UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nano zeta-sizer analysis. The antimicrobial activity of FeNPs synthesized by using an aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus leutus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. A notable color change from yellow to black confirmed the synthesis of FeNPs. The sharp peak at 450 nm UV-Visible spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of FeNPs. FTIR showed the presence of O-H and C=C stretching due to the presence of phenol and alkene functional groups. The average size of FeNPs was 6092 d.nm. The results of antimicrobial activity showed that FeNPs exhibit different potential against different bacterial strains with a maximum 25 ± 0.360 zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli. Thus, green synthesized FeNPs could be used as potential antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faryal Batool
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahid Iqbal
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salah-Ud-Din Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, 11432, Saudi Arabia
| | - Javed Khan
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, 11673, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bilal Ahmed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Imran Qadir
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.
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Ewunkem AJ, Rodgers L, Campbell D, Staley C, Subedi K, Boyd S, Graves JL. Experimental Evolution of Magnetite Nanoparticle Resistance in Escherichia coli. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:790. [PMID: 33808798 PMCID: PMC8003623 DOI: 10.3390/nano11030790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Both ionic and nanoparticle iron have been proposed as materials to control multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. However, the potential bacteria to evolve resistance to nanoparticle bacteria remains unexplored. To this end, experimental evolution was utilized to produce five magnetite nanoparticle-resistant (FeNP1-5) populations of Escherichia coli. The control populations were not exposed to magnetite nanoparticles. The 24-h growth of these replicates was evaluated in the presence of increasing concentrations magnetite NPs as well as other ionic metals (gallium III, iron II, iron III, and silver I) and antibiotics (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, sulfanilamide, and tetracycline). Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to determine cell size and shape in response to magnetite nanoparticle selection. Whole genome sequencing was carried out to determine if any genomic changes resulted from magnetite nanoparticle resistance. After 25 days of selection, magnetite resistance was evident in the FeNP treatment. The FeNP populations also showed a highly significantly (p < 0.0001) greater 24-h growth as measured by optical density in metals (Fe (II), Fe (III), Ga (III), Ag, and Cu II) as well as antibiotics (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, sulfanilamide, and tetracycline). The FeNP-resistant populations also showed a significantly greater cell length compared to controls (p < 0.001). Genomic analysis of FeNP identified both polymorphisms and hard selective sweeps in the RNA polymerase genes rpoA, rpoB, and rpoC. Collectively, our results show that E. coli can rapidly evolve resistance to magnetite nanoparticles and that this result is correlated resistances to other metals and antibiotics. There were also changes in cell morphology resulting from adaptation to magnetite NPs. Thus, the various applications of magnetite nanoparticles could result in unanticipated changes in resistance to both metal and antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akamu J. Ewunkem
- Department of Nanoscience, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA;
| | - LaShunta Rodgers
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA;
| | - Daisha Campbell
- Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA;
| | - Constance Staley
- Department of Chemistry, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC 27401, USA;
| | - Kiran Subedi
- College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA;
| | - Sada Boyd
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Joseph L. Graves
- Department of Biology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
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