Pleotropic Effects of Antibiotic Resistance Mutation

Antibiotic resistance mutations (AMRs) alter the phenotypic (physical) characteristics of an organism, which may result in enhanced fitness under antibiotic stress. However, these mutations often infer trade-offs in the organism’s fitness when introduced to alternative environments. This project explored the fitness of eight strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) – seven with known antibiotic resistance mutations – by conducting minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) assays. The result of this project, determined through comparative analysis with the non-AMR strain, showed a neutral or negative effect on the AMR strains. Continued study into E. coli’s stress response and biofilm production may lead to a better understanding of the pleiotropic (off-target) effects of AMRs.