(27bw) Caffeine Affects Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacteria

Caffeine is a widely consumed psychoactive substance found in various products. While the effects of caffeine on the central nervous system are well studied, its impact on the gut microbiome is not as well known. Recent studies have shown that caffeine can contribute to horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the gut microbiome, potentially facilitating harmful traits like antibiotic resistance. Although essential, the mechanism behind the effect of caffeine on bacteria HGT is not well studied. Understanding the mechanisms behind this phenomenon is crucial for addressing both medical and engineering challenges. In this study, we demonstrate the effect of caffeine on the HGT in Escherichia coli NEB5α at varying concentrations, mirroring the exposure conditions in the human gastrointestinal tract. We further sought to investigate the mechanism behind caffeine-induced DNA uptake by E. coli by conducting RNA-sequencing to identify the genes and pathways affected by caffeine.