Genomic Profiling of Microbial Communities and Antimicrobial Resistance in Chronic Wounds of Veteran Patients
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Mary Cloud Ammons, Idaho Veterans Research & Education Foundation, Boise VA Medical Center; Eric McIndoo, Idaho Veterans Research & Education Foundation, Boise VA Medical Center; and Dr. Catherine Anders, Idaho Veterans Research & Education Foundation, Boise VA Medical Center
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
Chronic wounds are a major healthcare challenge, especially for individuals with diabetes, where impaired healing can lead to persistent inflammation, infection, hospitalization, and, in severe cases, amputation. Unlike acute wounds, chronic wounds remain in a prolonged inflammatory state and fail to progress through the normal stages of healing. Their complex environment is shaped by interactions between the host immune response, microbial communities, and bacterial biofilms, all of which contribute to delayed healing and antimicrobial resistance. Understanding these microbial factors is essential for improving treatment strategies.
This study aims to characterize the microbial landscape of chronic wound tissues by extracting and sequencing microbial DNA using Illumina's Ultra-High Throughput Processing and Isolation Platform (UPIP), an automated workflow that improves reproducibility and reduces sample variability. The extracted DNA will undergo next-generation sequencing to identify microbial species, strain-level diversity, and antimicrobial resistance genes.
Sequencing data will compare microbial profiles between diabetic and non-diabetic patients while identifying resistance markers and biofilm-associated organisms linked to poor healing outcomes. By providing a comprehensive analysis of microbial communities, this research seeks to improve understanding of the microbial drivers of chronic wound persistence and support the development of more targeted, personalized wound care and antimicrobial therapies.
Genomic Profiling of Microbial Communities and Antimicrobial Resistance in Chronic Wounds of Veteran Patients
Chronic wounds are a major healthcare challenge, especially for individuals with diabetes, where impaired healing can lead to persistent inflammation, infection, hospitalization, and, in severe cases, amputation. Unlike acute wounds, chronic wounds remain in a prolonged inflammatory state and fail to progress through the normal stages of healing. Their complex environment is shaped by interactions between the host immune response, microbial communities, and bacterial biofilms, all of which contribute to delayed healing and antimicrobial resistance. Understanding these microbial factors is essential for improving treatment strategies.
This study aims to characterize the microbial landscape of chronic wound tissues by extracting and sequencing microbial DNA using Illumina's Ultra-High Throughput Processing and Isolation Platform (UPIP), an automated workflow that improves reproducibility and reduces sample variability. The extracted DNA will undergo next-generation sequencing to identify microbial species, strain-level diversity, and antimicrobial resistance genes.
Sequencing data will compare microbial profiles between diabetic and non-diabetic patients while identifying resistance markers and biofilm-associated organisms linked to poor healing outcomes. By providing a comprehensive analysis of microbial communities, this research seeks to improve understanding of the microbial drivers of chronic wound persistence and support the development of more targeted, personalized wound care and antimicrobial therapies.