Identification of Streptococcus pyogenes by PCR
University
Shawnee State University
Major
Biomedical Science
Student Type
Undergraduate Student
Presentation Types
Oral Group Presentation (Live)
Keywords:
DNA, PCR, Strep, Isolation
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes causes streptococcal pharyngitis and is commonly detected as beta-hemolytic colonies on throat cultures. While it is not necessary for diagnosis, further confirmation for the purpose of research can be done through means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the initial phase of this project, skills such as isolation, precipitation, concentration, and molecular identification of bacterial DNA were developed. Bacterial cultures of Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus mutans were used as controls for PCR identification, with S. pyogenes serving as the positive control. Through multiple trials, successful isolation and purification of S. pyogenes DNA was achieved, allowing for future use in PCR. Initial PCR amplification was unsuccessful and will require fine-tuning. Future plans will focus on optimizing PCR methods and applying them to bacterial samples. Eventually, these methods will be used on samples from the university population to support studies of antibiotic resistance.
Human and Animal Subjects
no
IRB or IACUC Approval
no
Faculty Mentor Name
Eugene Burns
Faculty Mentor Title
Professor
Faculty Mentor Department
Natural Sciences
Recommended Citation
Messer, Nick J.; Messer, Dillon T.; and Journey, Colton L., "Identification of Streptococcus pyogenes by PCR" (2026). Celebration of Scholarship. 4.
https://digitalcommons.shawnee.edu/cos/2026/daytwo/4
Identification of Streptococcus pyogenes by PCR
Streptococcus pyogenes causes streptococcal pharyngitis and is commonly detected as beta-hemolytic colonies on throat cultures. While it is not necessary for diagnosis, further confirmation for the purpose of research can be done through means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the initial phase of this project, skills such as isolation, precipitation, concentration, and molecular identification of bacterial DNA were developed. Bacterial cultures of Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus mutans were used as controls for PCR identification, with S. pyogenes serving as the positive control. Through multiple trials, successful isolation and purification of S. pyogenes DNA was achieved, allowing for future use in PCR. Initial PCR amplification was unsuccessful and will require fine-tuning. Future plans will focus on optimizing PCR methods and applying them to bacterial samples. Eventually, these methods will be used on samples from the university population to support studies of antibiotic resistance.