Current Projects - The Merz Lab at The University of Washington
Current Projects - The Merz Lab at The University of Washington
Subunit Organization and Host Attachment of the Type IV Pilus in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Subunit Organization and Host Attachment of the Type IV Pilus in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is the agent responsible for gonorrhea, an increasingly prevalent sexually transmitted infection, with over 600,000 cases in the US annually. There is currently no vaccine, and the antibiotic resistance capabilities of the bacteria are quickly eliminating viable treatment options. NG initiates contact with human host cells via the type IV pilus (T4P), which are long polymeric fibers that extend from the cell surface and mediate binding to the host. Though T4P are primary virulence factors in NG and other bacterial pathogens, the organization of T4P subunits at the pilus tip is unclear, and the host receptor by which the T4P initiates host contact has yet to be identified. My project targets these gaps by attempting to resolve structures of pilus subunits and their arrangement in the T4P as well as focusing on T4P interactions with the human host
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is the agent responsible for gonorrhea, an increasingly prevalent sexually transmitted infection, with over 600,000 cases in the US annually. There is currently no vaccine, and the antibiotic resistance capabilities of the bacteria are quickly eliminating viable treatment options. NG initiates contact with human host cells via the type IV pilus (T4P), which are long polymeric fibers that extend from the cell surface and mediate binding to the host. Though T4P are primary virulence factors in NG and other bacterial pathogens, the organization of T4P subunits at the pilus tip is unclear, and the host receptor by which the T4P initiates host contact has yet to be identified. My project targets these gaps by attempting to resolve structures of pilus subunits and their arrangement in the T4P as well as focusing on T4P interactions with the human host
Previous Projects - The Zid Lab at UC San Diego
Previous Projects - The Zid Lab at UC San Diego
Exploration of Post-Transcriptional Control of Mitochondrial Gene Expression
Exploration of Post-Transcriptional Control of Mitochondrial Gene Expression
The Zid Lab studies mRNA transport to mitochondria. We have previously shown a positive correlation between mRNA localization to the mitochondria and protein production of those mRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We hypothesize that the mRNA localization mechanism is influenced by the cell’s metabolic state; some mRNAs tend to localize more efficiently in respiratory conditions compared to fermentative conditions, while others perform similarly in both conditions. The lab is exploring this localization mechanism to pinpoint the driving force behind mRNA localization to the mitochondria as metabolism is shifted from fermentation to respiration.
The Zid Lab studies mRNA transport to mitochondria. We have previously shown a positive correlation between mRNA localization to the mitochondria and protein production of those mRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We hypothesize that the mRNA localization mechanism is influenced by the cell’s metabolic state; some mRNAs tend to localize more efficiently in respiratory conditions compared to fermentative conditions, while others perform similarly in both conditions. The lab is exploring this localization mechanism to pinpoint the driving force behind mRNA localization to the mitochondria as metabolism is shifted from fermentation to respiration.
Slide Deck:
Virtual Poster:
Exploration of Post-Transcriptional Control of Mitochondrial Gene Expression.pdfUSRA Poster 2022 Final.pdfDeveloping a Reporter to Monitor ATP Synthase Gene Expression
Developing a Reporter to Monitor ATP Synthase Gene Expression
Using fluorescent reporters, we were able to tag conditionally localized mitochondrial genes. With a way to visualize gene activity, the effects of cycloheximide drug were quantified via flow cytometry to determine the optimal concentration of drug treatment to introduce into the cells that would optimize mitochondrial localization and increase protein production.
Using fluorescent reporters, we were able to tag conditionally localized mitochondrial genes. With a way to visualize gene activity, the effects of cycloheximide drug were quantified via flow cytometry to determine the optimal concentration of drug treatment to introduce into the cells that would optimize mitochondrial localization and increase protein production.
Virtual Poster:
Synposium Poster 2022.pdf