Regulation of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factor by host lipids
Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes many severe infections including, but not limited to, pneumonia, keratitis, and bacteremia. Many of those infected are in healthcare facilities and are susceptible due to underlying disease conditions, and it is also common in chronic lung diseases like cystic fibrosis (CF). P. aeruginosa has many virulence factors, including CerN, whose transcript is induced by the presence of various lipids. My research focuses on determining the specific lipids that induce CerN in order to better understand this virulence factor.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Brian Eckenheart
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biology
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Regulation of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factor by host lipids
The bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes many severe infections including, but not limited to, pneumonia, keratitis, and bacteremia. Many of those infected are in healthcare facilities and are susceptible due to underlying disease conditions, and it is also common in chronic lung diseases like cystic fibrosis (CF). P. aeruginosa has many virulence factors, including CerN, whose transcript is induced by the presence of various lipids. My research focuses on determining the specific lipids that induce CerN in order to better understand this virulence factor.
