Project:

A Comparative Study of Highland and Lowland Frog's Skin Microbiomes

Students:

Adiba Dilara, Mele Akond

Institution:

St. John's University, Queens

Mentors:

MD ABU BAKAR SIDDIQUE

Abstract:

Amphibian skin microbiomes play a critical role in host health, immunity, and resistance to pathogens. Environmental factors, particularly elevation, strongly influence temperature, humidity, UV exposure, and microbial availability, all of which can shape host-associated microbial communities. This project proposes a comparative analysis of skin microbiomes between highland and lowland frog species to determine how altitude-driven environmental gradients influence microbial diversity, composition, and potential functional roles. Using metagenomics, we will test, due to elevation-related environmental differences, what kind of changes in skin microbiome be observed, and whether these differences predict the frog’s protection. We will extract DNA from RNAlater-preserved frog skin sample soaking liquid, perform 16S rRNA microbial sequencing, and reconstruct their genomes to identify taxa and functional genes. Phylogenetic and comparative analyses will assess patterns of microbial profil

Poster: