Elaina Volk
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Sarah Keane
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Biophysics/Chemistry / LSA
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Authors: Elaina Volk, David Beier, Sarah Keane
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a species of bacteria responsible for both minor and major infections. Oftentimes, S. aureus lives asymptomatically in its host. However, invasive infections caused by S. aureus often lead to hospitalization and in extreme cases death of the host. These infections can be difficult to treat due to the antibiotic resistance and adaptable nature of S. aureus. Aureolysin is a major virulence-causing protein translated by S. aureus. The aur gene codes for aureolysin. Previous studies have indicated a potential thermosensor at 5’-UTR of the aur gene controlling expression of aureolysin based on a change in the delta G value from 25 oC to 37 oC for the aur 5’-UTR. Thermosensors are responsible for inhibiting and promoting the gene expression they are present in at different temperatures. This research is being conducted in order to confirm the presence of a thermosensor at this site using gfp assays and circular dichroism. Investigations into the thermosensor have been performed under in vitro and in vivo E. coli conditions. In preparations for assays cloning of pUC19 with aur gfp-chimera and transcription has been performed. More targeted treatments for S. aureus infections could be a long-term result of this research.
