Category: Microbiology

The Role of Sphingolipids in the Creation of Biosensors for SARS-COV-2

June 29, 2022 Theresa Thurston
Theresa Thurston Introduction. Coronaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses in humans and animals that can cause acute and chronic diseases¹. SARS-CoV-2 is closely related to two bat-derived SARS-like coronaviruses¹, which all use the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for entry into cells¹. Nucleic acid detection is the gold standard for…
Engineering Medicine Microbiology

The Efficacy of Current Preventative Treatments Against the HPV Virus and Barriers to Adoption

June 28, 2022 Akshaya Santhanaraj
Akshaya Santhanaraj Introduction: Two subtypes of the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV-16 and HPV-18, account for 50% and 10% of all cervical cancer cases respectively1. Preventative measures have been proven to be almost 100% effective against HPV-infiection2. However, two challenges still exist regarding the current HPV vaccine: a lack of therapeutic…
Engineering Medicine Microbiology

Targeting Serum Cytokines as Prognostic Biomarkers for COVID-19 Biosensors

June 28, 2022 Shourya Kumar
Shourya Kumar and Limei Tian, PhD Introduction: Coronaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses in humans and animals that can cause acute and chronic diseases1. In patients with a weak immune system or other (unknown) pre-existing conditions, an uncontrolled inflammatory response linked to a cytokine storm has been associated with severe pulmonary…
Engineering Medicine Immunology Inflammation Microbiology

Immune System Modulators as Treatment for Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia Following Influenza A Infection

June 27, 2022 Calvin Phan
Calvin Phan Introduction. The influenza virus causes contagious respiratory illness that infect the nose, throat and lungs. IAV affects millions of people every year and can lead to severe illnesses and lead to death in those that are immunocompromised. Following infection from influenza, surface glycoproteins (GP96) and signaling pathways are…
Immunology Microbiology

Will Staphylococcus Be the Key to Our Next Skincare Craze? Harnessing the Power of Staphylococcus Epidermidis to Treat Plaque Psoriasis

June 24, 2022 Alexandra Farhangui
Alexandra Farhangui Introduction. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common skin bacterium that has been shown to both promote wound healing and increase ceramide levels on the skin.1, 2 Ceramides are lipids derived from sphingomyelin and have been shown to be protective against skin water loss.3 Additionally, the absence of ceramide has…
Engineering Medicine Featured Abstracts Microbiology

The Role of Proteins In Point-of-Care Serological Tests that Can Be Used to Manage SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19)

June 24, 2022 Raaghav Bageshwar
Raaghav Bageshwar Introduction. Severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is responsible for causing a major health crisis with substantial morbidity and mortality¹. In general, coronaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses that can cause acute and chronic diseases¹. SARS-CoV-2 in particular uses the cellular receptor angiotensin-converting…
Engineering Medicine Immunology Microbiology

The Contribution of Srr2, BspC, and PbsP Adhesins in the Formation of Neonatal Meningitis by Hypervirulent CC17-Group B Streptococcus

June 22, 2022 Angela Vong
Angela Vong Introduction. Neonatal meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges due to an infectious agent. The leading causative pathogen is Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a commensal but opportunistic gram-positive bacterium.1 GBS has asymptomatically colonized the vaginal epithelium of 20% of women worldwide.1 Transmission to the neonate can be through…
Microbiology