HEALTH RESEARCH, INC.
Grant: $453,861 - National Institutes of Health - Jul. 17, 2009
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Award Description: The objective of this work is to determine how a Mycobacterial secretion apparatus called ESX-1 plays critical roles in important, but apparently disparate, molecular processes: conjugal DNA transfer and virulence. The proposed studies will elucidate the impact of these two processes on the biology and pathogenesis of Mycobacteria. These goals will be achieved using a combination of molecular, genetic and biochemical assays. The specific aims are to: 1. Determine the genetic requirements for conjugal DNA transfer in donor and recipient strains of M. smegmatis in order to characterize this novel mechanism of genetic exchange. 2. Utilize DNA transfer to perform a genome-wide genetic screen to identify genes required for ESX-1 activity, and determine their role in both DNA transfer and virulence.
Project Description: Two staff (Alissa Collins and Janet Krywy) were placed on this grant as of 7/22/09. They have focused their research on determining the contributions of proteins secreted by the ESX-1 apparatus to conjugation and virulence. An additional two staff have been recruited to work on this research. Erin Parks started 8/31/09. Jessica Harold will start 9/28/09. Erin has been trained in basic laboratory techniques and has started to initiate research into proteins that regulate ESX-1.
Jobs Summary: Graduate Research Assistant - Molecular genetic analysis of the esx-1 lous and ESX-1 mediated secretion. Bacteriologist - Perform research characterizing the fad and phoP loci and structure function studies of the secreted protiens EsxAB. 2 Lab Techs - Molecular bio experiments in a bacterial context. New Hires (Total jobs reported: 1)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Jul. 17, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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