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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Dectin-1 Mediated Mechanical Force Generation In Candida Albicans Fungal Pathogen Recognition, Rohan Choraghe
Dectin-1 Mediated Mechanical Force Generation In Candida Albicans Fungal Pathogen Recognition, Rohan Choraghe
Biomedical Engineering ETDs
Candida spp. pathogens continue to be a major health care burden with high mortality and exceeding a billion dollars in terms of healthcare cost. Candidainfection ranges from superficial dermatological infection to more serious blood stream infection in debilitated patients. One of the major lines of innate immune defense against Candidais phagocytosis. Dectin-1 is the antifungal receptor in myeloid cells responsible for most immune responses against fungi including phagocytosis. We looked into the signaling pathway coordinating this mechanical process downstream of Dectin-1. We found that Dectin-1 activation gives rise to a significant mechanical force generation mediated through RHOA-ROCK-MyosinII pathway. …
The Investigation Of Surface Structures On Various Pathogens And Their Interactions With The Human Immune System, Carmen M. Villalobos
The Investigation Of Surface Structures On Various Pathogens And Their Interactions With The Human Immune System, Carmen M. Villalobos
Biomedical Engineering ETDs
The cell surface is the first interface the host immune system encounters and
its investigation has led to a better understanding of cellular biology and types of
pathways that pathogens target in a host cell. The cell surface has evolved to include
many functions such as manipulation of the cytoskeleton, cell signaling, membrane
trafficking, adhesion, and integration into host tissue. The pathogens of interest are
the pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans, and the parasite, Giardia lamblia and we
investigate the consequences of drug treatments on the cell surface, leading to
promising new targets.
Developing A Synthetic Model Of The Candida Albicans Cell Wall Using Self-Assembled Monolayers To Host Beta-Glucan As Ligands, Ushnik Ghosh
Developing A Synthetic Model Of The Candida Albicans Cell Wall Using Self-Assembled Monolayers To Host Beta-Glucan As Ligands, Ushnik Ghosh
Biomedical Engineering ETDs
The goal of this investigation is to study mechanisms the immune cell receptor, Dectin-1, uses to identify the fungal cell species, Candida albicans. Dectin-1 identifies extracellular matrix polysaccharides that Candida albicans express known as β-glucan. To study the interaction of β-glucan – Dectin-1 at the nanoscopic scale, the investigators of this project have endeavored to model the Candida albicans cell wall with engineered Self-Assembled Monolayers presenting β-glucan as a ligand for immobilized Dectin-1 receptors. By engineering a simplified ex-vivo model of the Candida albicans cell wall, the investigators of this study aim to gain precise control of the composition …