October 17, 2014
Genes of Influence Upon Competence in Bacillus subtilis: a small, stable RNA (SsrA) or YvaG?
Competence in bacteria has provided increasing challenges to combating bacterial pathogenesis. By up taking exogenous DNA when exposed to harsh and perilous conditions, bacteria are able to survive and quickly adjust to these new environments. To uncover and characterize genes that are involved in regulating the competence pathway, I used the model organism, Bacillus subtilis for my experiments. B. subtilis is a harmless cousin of Bacillus cereus (a food poisoning agent) and Bacillus anthracis (an anthrax-causing agent). Through a myriad of molecular and genetic approaches and manipulations, such as serial dilution transformation assays and cloning, I was able to disqualify and identify genes that were of primary influence in contributing to the B. subtilis competence pathway. By uncovering the mechanisms that influence competence in B. subtilis, we will then be able to develop more effective treatments against pathogens of the Bacillus genus.
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