Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: Metallic Nanocomposites to Eliminate Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Published on: October 4, 2024
Amino-functionalized graphene oxide affects bacteria-phage interactions in aquatic environments
Ying Li1, Kexin Zhang2, Yansong Yin1
1School of Clinical and Basic Medical Science, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai'an 271016, Shandong, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center for the Origin and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai'an 271016, PR China.
Amino-functionalized graphene oxide (AGO) harms aquatic bacteria and phages, disrupting natural interactions. Acidic conditions worsen these effects, impacting bacterial community diversity in water bodies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Nanotechnology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Graphene family nanomaterials (GFNs) are increasingly released into aquatic environments.
- Previous research showed graphene oxide (GO) affects bacteria-phage interactions.
- The impact of positively charged amino-functionalized GO (AGO) on these interactions is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of AGO on bacteria-phage interactions in aquatic systems.
- To determine how environmental factors, like pH, influence AGO's impact.
- To assess AGO's effect on bacterial community structure in natural water bodies.
Main Methods:
- Assessing AGO's effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Y12 growth.
- Analyzing phage-bacteria ratios after AGO treatment.
- Investigating AGO-phage interactions under acidic conditions.
- Using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes to study bacterial communities in water samples.
Main Results:
- AGO (0.05 mg/mL) inhibited P. aeruginosa Y12 growth.
- AGO reduced the phage-to-bacteria ratio, impairing phage infection.
- Acidic conditions enhanced AGO's inhibitory effect on phage-bacteria interactions via electrostatic adsorption.
- AGO exposure altered bacterial community richness and diversity in field water samples.
Conclusions:
- Positively charged AGO negatively impacts bacteria-phage dynamics in aquatic environments.
- Environmental factors like acidity can amplify the adverse effects of AGO.
- AGO poses a risk to aquatic microbial community structure and function.
