@article{carr_mathews_pruneski_stasulli_2024, title={A case study to engage students in evolutionary thinking around antibiotic resistance using the MEGA-plate experiment}, volume={8}, ISSN={["1935-7885"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00039-24}, DOI={10.1128/jmbe.00039-24}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT In this article, we describe curricular materials developed to engage undergraduate students in evolutionary thinking around antibiotic resistance using the MEGA-plate experiment (Microbial Evolution and Growth Arena). This elegant and visual experiment, developed by the Kishony Lab, shows the development of antibiotic resistance on the timescale of hours and days. It not only provides important biological insights but also captures students’ attention, making it a very useful tool for education. While a short video describing the method and major results has already been widely used in the classroom setting, our case study connects details of the methods and results of the MEGA-plate experiment and antibiotic resistance to core biological concepts. The interrupted case study consists of four major parts: 1) an opening hook activity to capture students’ attention and introduce the antibiotic crisis, 2) a jigsaw activity to research different classes of antibiotic targets and the resistance mechanisms that can arise, 3) a discussion of antibiotic resistance in real-time using the MEGA-plate experiment video, and 4) three different options for students to dive deeper into the experimental data from the MEGA-plate research article. These components are modular and can be used in many different combinations to reach different audiences or connect to other topics related to microbiology, evolution, or genetics.}, journal={JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION}, author={Carr, Stephanie A. and Mathews, Stephanie L. and Pruneski, Justin A. and Stasulli, Nikolas M.}, editor={Maloy, StanleyEditor}, year={2024}, month={Aug} } @article{mathews_graham_2023, title={Antibiotic Resistance of Bacterial Soil Isolates and Biofilm Production}, url={https://qubeshub.org/publications/4588/1}, DOI={10.25334/CDS2-2J37}, journal={QUBES Educational Resources}, publisher={QUBES Educational Resources}, author={Mathews, Stephanie and Graham, Danielle}, year={2023} } @article{carter_mathews_figueroa_bunn_2023, title={Salivary Cortisol Analysis in Collegiate Female Lacrosse Athletes.}, url={https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC10124719}, journal={International journal of exercise science}, author={Carter, J and Mathews, SL and Figueroa, YL and Bunn, JA}, year={2023}, month={Feb} } @article{analysis of cortisol response and load in collegiate female lacrosse athletes: a pilot study_2022, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.36905/jses.2022.02.08}, DOI={10.36905/jses.2022.02.08}, abstractNote={Currently, it is unknown how cortisol fluctuates across a season in female athletes and how it is related to other measures of training load.The purpose of this study was to 1) evaluate changes in salivary cortisol in Division I female collegiate lacrosse athletes (n = 26) and 2) assess the relationship between cortisol and athlete wellness and training load.Saliva samples were collected biweekly on Monday mornings during the first six weeks of the competitive season.Subjective athlete total wellness scores and sub-scores (muscle soreness, sleep quality, fatigue, and stress) were collected on the same days.Objective total weekly workload for distance, high-intensity distance (HID), sprints, accelerations, and decelerations were tabulated from the previous week.A repeated measures analysis of variance assessed weekly changes in cortisol, wellness, and training load across the season.Pearson correlations were used to determine relationships among cortisol, wellness, and training load.There was an upward trend in cortisol (wk 0: 0.637 ± 0.296 μg/dL, wk 2: 0.611 ± 0.450 μg/dL, wk 4: 0.767 ± 0.495 μg/dL), but no difference in time points.HID and sprints were lower in week 2 than weeks 0 and 4 (p < 0.05).Although cortisol did not correlate with wellness scores or objective workload, the upward trend from week 0 to week 4 suggested that as the season progressed, the athletes had increasing levels of stress, possibly resulting from performance or game settings.These findings provide coaches with a better understanding of competition-related stress throughout the season and allow for the implementation of pre-and post-game strategies for stress management among their athletes.}, journal={The Journal of Sport and Exercise Science}, year={2022} } @article{figueroa_carter_mathews_bunn_2021, title={Salivary Cortisol Analysis In Collegiate Female Lacrosse Athletes}, volume={53}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000759492.39789.57}, DOI={10.1249/01.mss.0000759492.39789.57}, abstractNote={Cortisol is a hormone that corresponds to physiological and emotional stress. The purpose of this study was to 1) evaluate the changes in cortisol in female Division I collegiate lacrosse players (n = 15) throughout the competitive season, and 2) evaluate the correlation between cortisol and athlete wellness and workload. Salivary cortisol samples were collected weekly in the morning throughout the entirety of the 2021 competitive season (12 weeks). Subjective athlete total wellness scores and sub-scores (muscle soreness, sleep quality, fatigue, and stress) were taken on the same days. Objective total weekly Athlete Load (AL, an amalgam workload metric) were tabulated from the previous training week. A significant effect of time was found on wellness (p < 0.001) and AL (p < 0.001) over the twelve weeks with weekly differences, such as weeks with more than one game, weeks with no games, weeks with students in quarantine (not competing), or weeks with academic stressors such as final exams. There were no weekly differences in cortisol (p = 0.058). Cortisol had negligible correlations with wellness (r = -0.010, p = 0.889) and AL (r = 0.083, p = 0.272) during the competitive season. These findings suggest that cortisol changed little for athletes throughout the season although training volume and wellness did. Thus, assessing acute responses of cortisol may prove to be more beneficial to evaluating athletes' stress.}, number={8S}, journal={Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise}, publisher={Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)}, author={Figueroa, Yvette L. and Carter, Jenna L. and Mathews, Stephanie L. and Bunn, Jennifer A.}, year={2021}, month={Aug}, pages={36–36} } @article{mathews_hannah_samagaio_martin_rodriguez-rassi_matthysse_2019, title={Glycoside Hydrolase Genes Are Required for Virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens on Bryophyllum daigremontiana and Tomato}, volume={85}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.00603-19}, DOI={10.1128/aem.00603-19}, abstractNote={ A. tumefaciens is used in the construction of genetically engineered plants, as it is able to transfer DNA to plant hosts. Knowledge of the mechanisms of DNA transfer and the genes required will aid in the understanding of this process. Manipulation of glycoside hydrolases may increase transformation and widen the host range of the bacterium. A. tumefaciens also causes disease (crown gall tumors) on a variety of plants, including stone fruit trees, grapes, and grafted ornamentals such as roses. It is possible that compounds that inhibit glycoside hydrolases could be used to control crown gall disease caused by A. tumefaciens . }, number={15}, journal={Applied and Environmental Microbiology}, publisher={American Society for Microbiology}, author={Mathews, Stephanie L. and Hannah, Haylea and Samagaio, Hillary and Martin, Camille and Rodriguez-Rassi, Eleanor and Matthysse, Ann G.}, editor={Cann, IsaacEditor}, year={2019}, month={Aug} } @article{mathews_epps_blackburn_goshe_grunden_dunn_2019, title={Public questions spur the discovery of new bacterial species associated with lignin bioconversion of industrial waste}, volume={6}, ISSN={["2054-5703"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.180748}, DOI={10.1098/rsos.180748}, abstractNote={ A citizen science project found that the greenhouse camel cricket ( Diestrammena asynamora ) is common in North American homes. Public response was to wonder ‘what good are they anyway?’ and ecology and evolution guided the search for potential benefit. We predicted that camel crickets and similar household species would likely host bacteria with the ability to degrade recalcitrant carbon compounds. Lignocellulose is particularly relevant as it is difficult to degrade yet is an important feedstock for pulp and paper, chemical and biofuel industries. We screened gut bacteria of greenhouse camel crickets and another household insect, the hide beetle ( Dermestes maculatus ) for the ability to grow on and degrade lignocellulose components as well as the lignocellulose-derived industrial waste product black liquor. From three greenhouse camel crickets and three hide beetles, 14 bacterial strains were identified that were capable of growth on lignocellulosic components, including lignin. Cedecea lapagei was selected for further study due to growth on most lignocellulose components. The C. lapagei secretome was identified using LC/MS/MS analysis. This work demonstrates a novel source of lignocellulose-degrading bacteria and introduces an effective workflow to identify bacterial enzymes for transforming industrial waste into value-added products. More generally, our research suggests the value of ecologically guided discovery of novel organisms. }, number={3}, journal={ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE}, publisher={The Royal Society}, author={Mathews, Stephanie L. and Epps, Mary Jane and Blackburn, R. Kevin and Goshe, Michael B. and Grunden, Amy M. and Dunn, Robert R.}, year={2019}, month={Mar} } @article{penick_halawani_pearson_mathews_lopez-uribe_dunn_smith_2018, title={External immunity in ant societies: sociality and colony size do not predict investment in antimicrobials}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2054-5703"]}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.171332}, DOI={10.1098/rsos.171332}, abstractNote={ Social insects live in dense groups with a high probability of disease transmission and have therefore faced strong pressures to develop defences against pathogens. For this reason, social insects have been hypothesized to invest in antimicrobial secretions as a mechanism of external immunity to prevent the spread of disease. However, empirical studies linking the evolution of sociality with increased investment in antimicrobials have been relatively few. Here we quantify the strength of antimicrobial secretions among 20 ant species that cover a broad spectrum of ant diversity and colony sizes. We extracted external compounds from ant workers to test whether they inhibited the growth of the bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis . Because all ant species are highly social, we predicted that all species would exhibit some antimicrobial activity and that species that form the largest colonies would exhibit the strongest antimicrobial response. Our comparative approach revealed that strong surface antimicrobials are common to particular ant clades, but 40% of species exhibited no antimicrobial activity at all. We also found no correlation between antimicrobial activity and colony size. Rather than relying on antimicrobial secretions as external immunity to control pathogen spread, many ant species have probably developed alternative strategies to defend against disease pressure. }, number={2}, journal={ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE}, publisher={The Royal Society}, author={Penick, Clint A. and Halawani, Omar and Pearson, Bria and Mathews, Stephanie and Lopez-Uribe, Margarita M. and Dunn, Robert R. and Smith, Adrian A.}, year={2018}, month={Feb} } @article{somalinga_klemmer_arun_mathews_wapshott_grunden_2018, title={Cloning, Over-Expression, and Purification of Carbonic Anhydrase from an Extremophilic Bacterium: An Introduction to Advanced Molecular Biology}, volume={80}, ISSN={["1938-4211"]}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/abt.2018.80.1.29}, DOI={10.1525/abt.2018.80.1.29}, abstractNote={The photosynthetic bioreactor research program is a training platform appropriate for introducing advanced molecular biology techniques to undergraduate students and advanced high school biology students. For this advanced molecular biology training exercise, the enzyme carbonic anhydrase was cloned, over-expressed, purified, and functionally characterized. Carbonic anhydrases are industrially important enzymes with potential use in carbon sequestration and biofuel production. Alpha and beta carbonic anhydrases from Photobacterium profundum, a psychrophilic, halotolerant bacterium, were characterized in this study. Carbonic anhydrases that can withstand high salinity and are active at low temperatures can be transformed into oleaginous marine microalgae to enhance biofuel production. Our research program started with a three-day boot camp with lectures in relevant topics of molecular biology, microbiology, and research methods. After the boot camp, the lab phase of the project involved training students to perform polymerase chain reaction, DNA gel electrophoresis, DNA ligation, and bacterial transformation. In the final phase of the project, students were trained in recombinant protein over-expression and protein purification techniques. Here we report successful cloning and over-expression by high school students of two novel carbonic anhydrases from a psychrohalophile with application in biofuel production.}, number={1}, journal={AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER}, publisher={University of California Press}, author={Somalinga, Vijayakumar and Klemmer, Hannah and Arun, Ashikha and Mathews, Stephanie and Wapshott, Hannah and Grunden, Amy M.}, year={2018}, month={Jan}, pages={29–34} } @article{mathews_grunden_pawlak_2016, title={Degradation of lignocellulose and lignin by Paenibacillus glucanolyticus}, volume={110}, ISSN={["1879-0208"]}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2016.02.012}, DOI={10.1016/j.ibiod.2016.02.012}, abstractNote={Lignocellulose is an abundant renewable carbon source that has been used for fuel and chemical production. Lignocellulose refers to the plant cell wall and is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Lignin is a recalcitrant amorphous aromatic compound. Paenibacillus glucanolyticus SLM1, a facultative anaerobe that grows optimally at pH 9, was isolated from pulp mill waste. Initial characterization showed that this bacterium could degrade cellulose and hemicellulose and also suggested that it may be able to degrade lignin. This work examines the ability of P. glucanolyticus SLM1 and the type strain P. glucanolyticus 5162 to degrade lignocellulose, lignin, and aromatic lignin-related compounds using growth studies, dye degradation assays, GC–MS, and GPC. Our results show that both strains of P. glucanolyticus can degrade aromatic lignin-related compounds under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. These strains can also degrade polymeric lignin under anaerobic conditions. However, only P. glucanolyticus SLM1 can also degrade polymeric lignin under aerobic conditions.}, journal={INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Mathews, Stephanie L. and Grunden, Amy M. and Pawlak, Joel}, year={2016}, month={May}, pages={79–86} } @article{mathews_pawlak_grunden_2016, title={Draft Genome Sequences of Two Strains of Paenibacillus glucanolyticus with the Ability To Degrade Lignocellulose}, volume={4}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/genomea.00423-16}, DOI={10.1128/genomea.00423-16}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Paenibacillus glucanolyticus 5162, a bacterium isolated from soil, and Paenibacillus glucanolyticus SLM1, a bacterium isolated from pulp mill waste, can utilize cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin as sole carbon sources for growth. These two strains of Paenibacillus glucanolyticus were sequenced using PacBio and Illumina MiSeq technologies. }, number={3}, journal={Genome Announcements}, publisher={American Society for Microbiology}, author={Mathews, Stephanie L. and Pawlak, Joel and Grunden, Amy M.}, year={2016}, month={Jun} } @article{mathews_smithson_grunden_2016, title={Purification and characterization of a recombinant laccase-like multi-copper oxidase from Paenibacillus glucanolyticus SLM1}, volume={121}, ISSN={["1365-2672"]}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jam.13241}, DOI={10.1111/jam.13241}, abstractNote={The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of a novel bacterial laccase‐like multi‐copper oxidase (LMCO) from Paenibacillus glucanolyticus SLM1: a bacterium isolated from pulp and paper waste.}, number={5}, journal={JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Mathews, S. L. and Smithson, C. E. and Grunden, A. M.}, year={2016}, month={Nov}, pages={1335–1345} } @article{mathews_pawlak_grunden_2015, title={Bacterial biodegradation and bioconversion of industrial lignocellulosic streams}, volume={99}, ISSN={0175-7598 1432-0614}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S00253-015-6471-Y}, DOI={10.1007/s00253-015-6471-y}, abstractNote={Lignocellulose is a term for plant materials that are composed of matrices of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Lignocellulose is a renewable feedstock for many industries. Lignocellulosic materials are used for the production of paper, fuels, and chemicals. Typically, industry focuses on transforming the polysaccharides present in lignocellulose into products resulting in the incomplete use of this resource. The materials that are not completely used make up the underutilized streams of materials that contain cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. These underutilized streams have potential for conversion into valuable products. Treatment of these lignocellulosic streams with bacteria, which specifically degrade lignocellulose through the action of enzymes, offers a low-energy and low-cost method for biodegradation and bioconversion. This review describes lignocellulosic streams and summarizes different aspects of biological treatments including the bacteria isolated from lignocellulose-containing environments and enzymes which may be used for bioconversion. The chemicals produced during bioconversion can be used for a variety of products including adhesives, plastics, resins, food additives, and petrochemical replacements.}, number={7}, journal={Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Mathews, Stephanie L. and Pawlak, Joel and Grunden, Amy M.}, year={2015}, month={Feb}, pages={2939–2954} } @article{mathews_smith_matthysse_2014, title={A comparison of the retention of pathogenic E scherichia coli   O 157 by sprouts, leaves and fruits}, volume={7}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.12165}, DOI={10.1111/1751-7915.12165}, abstractNote={SummaryThe retention (binding to or association with the plant) of Escherichia coli by cut leaves and fruits after vigorous water washing was compared with that by sprouts. Retention by fruits and leaves was similar but differed from retention by sprouts in rate, effect of wounding and requirement for poly‐β,1‐6‐N‐acetyl‐D‐glucosamine. Escherichia coli was retained by cut ends of lettuce leaves within 5 min while more than 1 h was required for retention by the intact epidermis of leaves and fruits, and more than 1 day for sprouts. Retention after 5 min at the cut leaf edge was specific for E. coli and was not shown by the plant‐associated bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Sinorhizobium meliloti. Escherichia coli was retained by lettuce, spinach, alfalfa, bean, tomato, Arabidopsis thaliana, cucumber, and pepper leaves and fruits faster than by sprouts. Wounding of leaves and fruits but not sprouts increased bacterial retention. Mutations in the exopolysaccharide synthesis genes yhjN and wcaD reduced the numbers of bacteria retained. PgaC mutants were retained by cut leaves and fruits but not by sprouts. There was no significant difference in the retention of an O157 and a K12 strain by fruits or leaves. However, retention by sprouts of O157 strains was significantly greater than K12 strains. These findings suggest that there are differences in the mechanisms of E  coli retention among sprouts, and leaves and fruits.}, number={6}, journal={Microbial Biotechnology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Mathews, Stephanie L. and Smith, Rachel B. and Matthysse, Ann G.}, year={2014}, month={Nov}, pages={570–579} } @article{mathews_pawlak_grunden_2014, title={Isolation of Paenibacillus glucanolyticus from pulp mill sources with potential to deconstruct pulping waste}, volume={164}, ISSN={["1873-2976"]}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.04.093}, DOI={10.1016/j.biortech.2014.04.093}, abstractNote={Black liquor is a pulping waste generated by the kraft process that has potential for downstream bioconversion. A microorganism was isolated from a black liquor sample collected from the Department of Forest Biomaterials at North Carolina State University. The organism was identified as Paenibacillus glucanolyticus using 16S rRNA sequence analysis and was shown to be capable of growth on black liquor as the sole carbon source based on minimal media growth studies. Minimal media growth curves demonstrated that this facultative anaerobic microorganism can degrade black liquor as well as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to identify products generated by P. glucanolyticus when it was grown anaerobically on black liquor. Fermentation products which could be converted into high-value chemicals such as succinic, propanoic, lactic, and malonic acids were detected.}, journal={BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Mathews, Stephanie L. and Pawlak, Joel J. and Grunden, Amy M.}, year={2014}, month={Jul}, pages={100–105} } @article{mathews_ayoub_pawlak_grunden_2013, title={Methods for Facilitating Microbial Growth on Pulp Mill Waste Streams and Characterization of the Biodegradation Potential of Cultured Microbes}, volume={12}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3791/51373}, DOI={10.3791/51373}, abstractNote={The kraft process is applied to wood chips for separation of lignin from the polysaccharides within lignocellulose for pulp that will produce a high quality paper. Black liquor is a pulping waste generated by the kraft process that has potential for downstream bioconversion. However, the recalcitrant nature of the lignocellulose resources, its chemical derivatives that constitute the majority of available organic carbon within black liquor, and its basic pH present challenges to microbial biodegradation of this waste material. Methods for the collection and modification of black liquor for microbial growth are aimed at utilization of this pulp waste to convert the lignin, organic acids, and polysaccharide degradation byproducts into valuable chemicals. The lignocellulose extraction techniques presented provide a reproducible method for preparation of lignocellulose growth substrates for understanding metabolic capacities of cultured microorganisms. Use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry enables the identification and quantification of the fermentation products resulting from the growth of microorganisms on pulping waste. These methods when used together can facilitate the determination of the metabolic activity of microorganisms with potential to produce fermentation products that would provide greater value to the pulping system and reduce effluent waste, thereby increasing potential paper milling profits and offering additional uses for black liquor.}, number={82}, journal={Journal of Visualized Experiments}, publisher={MyJove Corporation}, author={Mathews, Stephanie L. and Ayoub, Ali S. and Pawlak, Joel and Grunden, Amy M.}, year={2013}, month={Dec} }