Michaela Cain Email & Phone Number

Saint Paul, Mn, Us

San Diego, California, United States

I am currently studying the mechanism of release of viral material of the bacteriophage P22 into salmonella. My predecessors hypothesized that the gp9 tail spike can “sense” the R-core sidechain N-acetylglucosamine and/or galactose II sugars. In order to confirm this theory, I created various knockout mutations using electroporation in different strains and serogroups of Salmonella. The identity of the mutant strains were confirmed via gel electrophoresis, then multiple ELISA assays were run to confirm the identity of the O-antigens on the LPS layer. Phage Sensitivity Assays were then run to detect whether the mutations caused an increase in susceptibility towards P22wt and P22virB. To date, we have found and increase in susceptibility of P22virB, which indicates the tail spike is able to bind to the R-core without the glucose inhibiting it. Interestingly, I have also found that the knockout mutant of the E34 genes 20-22 still presents anti-O34 antigens, which indicates that the LPS layer is being modified with glucose. Genes 20-22 are thought to code for a phage-encoded bactoprenol-linked glucose flippases, based on prior research on what was thought to be homologous genes. We are now investigating the research behind these genes and designing an experiment to confirm the actual function of these genes, as well as studying the mechanism that is responsible for the addition of glucose. Additionally, I am training multiple students who will be taking over for me when I graduate.

Bachelors, Biology, General

Doctor Of Philosophy, Comparative And Molecular Biosciences