Creation of an EnvZ-Tar chimera protein in Escherichia coli for use against White Nose Syndrome
Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Major
Chemical Engineering
Research Advisor
Westenberg, David J.
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE)
Abstract
The fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, causes White Nose Syndrome which is devastating the North American bat population. More and more researchers are working toward combating the deadly disease and restoring the number of bats found in the wild. The bats affected by White Nose Syndrome are a viable asset to the United States Agricultural Industry, and so, a remedy needs to be found.. Our attempt at an answer uses a synthetic biology approach. It is expected that an E. coli strain able to move towards changes in salinity will move to the source of the fungal infection, and use this trait , along with a strain that produces a fungistatic compound, to slow or even stop the infection while the bat is in hibernation.
Biography
Margaret Pitzer is a sophomore at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She is majoring in Chemical Engineering while minoring in German, Business Management and biomedical engineering. She is involved in Residential Life, Miner Multi-Media, and iGEM.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
11 Apr 2016, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
Creation of an EnvZ-Tar chimera protein in Escherichia coli for use against White Nose Syndrome
Upper Atrium/Hallway
The fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, causes White Nose Syndrome which is devastating the North American bat population. More and more researchers are working toward combating the deadly disease and restoring the number of bats found in the wild. The bats affected by White Nose Syndrome are a viable asset to the United States Agricultural Industry, and so, a remedy needs to be found.. Our attempt at an answer uses a synthetic biology approach. It is expected that an E. coli strain able to move towards changes in salinity will move to the source of the fungal infection, and use this trait , along with a strain that produces a fungistatic compound, to slow or even stop the infection while the bat is in hibernation.
Comments
Joint Project with Austin Hall and Hanna Kim