Sarah Babka
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Teresa O’Meara
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Microbiology and Immunology / Medicine
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 3 – 1:40pm – 2:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors:
Presenter: 115
Abstract
Candida albicans is a fungus that is known to induce high rates of macrophage pyroptosis, an inflammatory cell death program. From previous research, it is known that a specific gene called Pga52 could have an impact on the fungus’ ability to cause cell death. Knowing that C. albicans has the capability of inducing macrophage pyroptosis, the goal of this project is to determine what fungal genes contribute to cell death, and, specifically, the role of the Pga52 gene in causing pyroptosis. To examine the influence of the Pga52 gene, we engineered fungal strains that over-express the Pga52 gene. To create these fungal strains, we utilized PCR amplification and CRISPR-Cas9 technology to perform transformations and create the desired strains. To observe the effects on the host cell, we used transformation to insert these PCR products into C. albicans and will observe the rate of macrophage cell death through the use of tissue culture and microscopy. We anticipate that through the use of the newly engineered fungal strains and image-based analysis of macrophage cell death, we will be able to determine how increased expression of Pga52 alters the rate of macrophage pyroptosis. These results may lead to implications for further research, as knowing that an increase in expression of the Pga52 gene leads to increased cell death, scientists may be able to create treatments that inhibit expression of this gene in C. albicans to minimize its observed effect on the host organism.
Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary, Natural/Life Sciences
