# ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE OF BACTEROIDES

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 1989 · $167,659

## Abstract

This project will provide a detailed understanding of the genetic
mechanisms responsible for the spread of antibiotic resistance in
Bacteroides.  These anaerobic gram-negative bacteria are the predominant
micro-organisms in the human gastro-intestianl tract, and function to
maintain the normal microbial ecology of the bowel.  In addition,
Bacteroides are the most important isolates from anaerobic infections, and
increasing antibiotic resistance in Bacteroides has complicated the
treatment of these infections.  Both plasmid and non-plasmid mediated
transfer of antibiotic resistance has been described in Bacteroides, and
indirect evidence for transposition of resistance markers has been
reported.  This project will utilize a novel gene transfer system recently
developed to transfer plasmids from E. coli into Bacteroides.  The system
consists of a bifunctional shuttle vector capable of replication in both E.
coli and Bacteroides, with transfer between E. coli and B. fragilis
mediated by the broad host range plasmid RK2.  This genetic system will be
used to accomplish the following specific aims:  1) to locate and study the
replication, transfer, and drug resistance genes on the Bacteroides R
plasmid pCPl, 2) to characterize the mechanism of differential drug
resistance gene expression in E. coli and Bacteroides, 3) to establish a
gene library of Bacteroides DNA in E. coli, 4) to use the library to study
the mechanism of the novel gene transfer systems that operate in
Bacteroides in the absence of plasmids, and 5) to elucidate the mechanism
of clindamycin resistance transposition in Bacteroides.  This project will
establish a genetic system in Bacteroides using current recombinant DNA
technology.  Such a system will facilitate the analysis not only of
antibiotic resistance, but of physiology, metabolism, and virulence
properties of these important anaerobes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3126660
- **Project number:** 5R01AI016463-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** UYTTZT6G9DT1
- **Principal Investigator:** Donald G. Guiney
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $167,659
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1980-02-01 → 1990-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3126660

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3126660, ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE OF BACTEROIDES (5R01AI016463-10). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3126660. Licensed CC0.

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