Effect of Starvation Response on Production of Outer Membrane Vesicles by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Faculty Mentor
Vinaya Sampath
Area of Research
Biomedical Sciences
Major
Biomedical Sciences
Description
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative, rod shaped, monoflagellated versatile pathogen that can adapt to many different environmental stressors, including nutrient limitation. It grows well at 37°C, and is able to grow at 42°C which is the distinguishing feature from its other species. One of the main mechanisms by which bacteria respond to stress is by producing outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), which play a critical role in virulence and survival. This study investigates the impact of starvation-induced stress on the production of OMVs by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the lab, P. aeruginosa cultures were grown in different nutrient deprivation conditions and quantified the OMVs using BCA Protein Assays and fluorescent quantitation. Then, silver staining was done to detect the proteins and visualize the OMVs separated by electrophoresis. Conditions compared include: TSB and TSB+cysteine, BHI and BHI+Cas9. The results will tell us if there is an increase in ΟMV production in nutrient limited conditions. A proteomic analysis of the OMV contents will tell us if there are any differences in virulence factors present in the OMVs to identify the effects on virulence. Understanding conditions of OMV production will allow us to develop therapeutic approaches that could minimize the virulence of this pathogen.
Effect of Starvation Response on Production of Outer Membrane Vesicles by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative, rod shaped, monoflagellated versatile pathogen that can adapt to many different environmental stressors, including nutrient limitation. It grows well at 37°C, and is able to grow at 42°C which is the distinguishing feature from its other species. One of the main mechanisms by which bacteria respond to stress is by producing outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), which play a critical role in virulence and survival. This study investigates the impact of starvation-induced stress on the production of OMVs by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the lab, P. aeruginosa cultures were grown in different nutrient deprivation conditions and quantified the OMVs using BCA Protein Assays and fluorescent quantitation. Then, silver staining was done to detect the proteins and visualize the OMVs separated by electrophoresis. Conditions compared include: TSB and TSB+cysteine, BHI and BHI+Cas9. The results will tell us if there is an increase in ΟMV production in nutrient limited conditions. A proteomic analysis of the OMV contents will tell us if there are any differences in virulence factors present in the OMVs to identify the effects on virulence. Understanding conditions of OMV production will allow us to develop therapeutic approaches that could minimize the virulence of this pathogen.