448 Isolation and identification of bioprospects capable of metabolizing 17-beta-estradiol and 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol using metagenomics and culture-dependent techniques in Puerto Rico

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: This research project aims to isolate and identify bioprospects capable of metabolizing estrogen using culture-dependent, culture independent methods and the identification of the gene/genes responsible for the metabolization of estrogen by the bioprospects. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: For the culture dependent technique, samples were collected from the water treatment plant in Mayagüez, cultivated on TSA medium and selected specific and diverse colonies were patched on M-9NC (no carbon sources), M-9-glucose (M9G) and M-9-hormone mixture (M9H: 17-beta-Estradiol and 17-alpha-Ethynylestradiol). After the 48hrs incubation at 25 and 37 Celsius, growth was scored on the different media, to choose those potential bioprospects that use the hormones as the sole carbon source. For the culture independent approach, metagenomic clones from libraries generated from the Guajatacas water reservoir and Cabo Rojos Saltern microbial mats were cultivated on the appropriate M9NC, M-9G and M-9H, supplemented with Leucine and Thiamine for 48 hours at 37 Celsius. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The culture-dependent approach showed a total of 6 potential bioprospects capable of growing on hormones as a sole carbon source on M9H at 25 and 37 Celsius and no-growth on the M-9 media used. Currently, we are in the process of determining the identities of the cultivable isolates genetically, any preference on hormone metabolization, monitoring a larger number of metagenomic clones and optimizing the selection conditions. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The identification of bioprospects capable of metabolizing hormones could potentially lead to the generation of new water treatments that could help remove unwanted chemicals, such as high concentrations of estrogens.