Visualizing Nanoparticles In the Fungal Pathogen, Aspergillus Flavus
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Microbiology
Presentation Type
Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
2nd Place
Abstract
The fungus, Aspergillus flavus, is a pathogenic fungus known for producing aflatoxin. Aflatoxin in A. flavus affects crops, livestock, and people, causing things like aspergillosis and liver cancer in people. Aspergillosis mainly affects organisms with immune deficiencies when they breath in the A. flavus spores. Previous reports indicated that aflatoxin production can be prevented by silver nanoparticles, but the mechanism of action is unknown. In this study we demonstrate that silver nanoparticles are internalized by A. flavus cells. A Leica confocal laser scanning microscope was used to obtain images of the fungal samples with silver nanoparticles. We overlaid 20X differential interference contrast imaging of the A. flavus that had been exposed to silver nanoparticles. These images showed that the nanoparticles entered the fungal cells. A series of time lapse photos showed the nanoparticles moved inside the cells. We proposed that the nanoparticles enter the cells through endocytosis and localize to the vesicles which are the site of aflatoxin production. These results suggest potential mechanisms of action for reduction of aflatoxin production via silver nanoparticles, which could lead to new ways to prevent the negative impacts on crops, livestock, and people.
Recommended Citation
Schaffer, Jenny, "Visualizing Nanoparticles In the Fungal Pathogen, Aspergillus Flavus" (2019). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 300.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2019/all/300
Location
Founders Hall 213 B
Start Date
3-30-2019 12:15 PM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
Visualizing Nanoparticles In the Fungal Pathogen, Aspergillus Flavus
Founders Hall 213 B
The fungus, Aspergillus flavus, is a pathogenic fungus known for producing aflatoxin. Aflatoxin in A. flavus affects crops, livestock, and people, causing things like aspergillosis and liver cancer in people. Aspergillosis mainly affects organisms with immune deficiencies when they breath in the A. flavus spores. Previous reports indicated that aflatoxin production can be prevented by silver nanoparticles, but the mechanism of action is unknown. In this study we demonstrate that silver nanoparticles are internalized by A. flavus cells. A Leica confocal laser scanning microscope was used to obtain images of the fungal samples with silver nanoparticles. We overlaid 20X differential interference contrast imaging of the A. flavus that had been exposed to silver nanoparticles. These images showed that the nanoparticles entered the fungal cells. A series of time lapse photos showed the nanoparticles moved inside the cells. We proposed that the nanoparticles enter the cells through endocytosis and localize to the vesicles which are the site of aflatoxin production. These results suggest potential mechanisms of action for reduction of aflatoxin production via silver nanoparticles, which could lead to new ways to prevent the negative impacts on crops, livestock, and people.
