Microbiology Commons^™

Evaluating The Microbial Experience Influence On Anti-Tumor Immune Response, Jessica A. Ensing

Student Summer Scholars Manuscripts

Despite the steady increase of hygienic standards, the CDC continues to report an increase of immune-mediated diseases such as allergies and asthma. Human avoidance of microbial exposure and subsequently less experienced immune systems may be the cause for this increase. We investigated if increased microbial exposure results in increased immunity to cancer (B16 melanoma) by measuring activated lymphocytes between two groups of C57Bl/6 mice: specific pathogen free (SPF) mice (which had little microbial exposure) and cohoused (COH) mice (which were exposed to numerous microbes). Previous research shows that the CoH mouse model mimics a human adult’s immune system, while the …

Biological Sex Influences Susceptibility To Acinetobacter Baumannii Pneumonia In Mice, Sílvia Pires, Adeline Peignier, Jeremy Seto, Davida S. Smyth, Dane Parker

Publications and Research

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an extremely versatile multidrug-resistant pathogen with a very high mortality rate; therefore, it has become crucial to understand the host response during its infection. Given the importance of mice for modeling infection and their role in preclinical drug development, equal emphasis should be placed on the use of both sexes. Through our studies using a murine model of acute pneumonia with A. baumannii, we observed that female mice were more susceptible to infection. Likewise, treatment of male mice with estradiol increased their susceptibility to infection. Analysis of the airway compartment revealed enhanced inflammation and reduced …

10th Annual Postdoctoral Science Symposium, University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center Postdoctoral Association

Annual Postdoctoral Science Symposium Abstracts

The Annual Postdoctoral Science Symposium (APSS) was initiated on August 4, 2011, by the MD Anderson Postdoctoral Association to provide a platform for talented postdoctoral fellows throughout the Texas Medical Center to present their work to a wider audience.

APSS is a scientific symposium organized by postdoctoral fellows from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center that welcomes submissions and presentations from postdoctoral fellows from all Texas Medical Center affiliated institutions and other Houston area institutions. The APSS provides a professional venue for postdoctoral scientists to develop, clarify and refine their research as result of formal reviews and critiques …

The Persisting Threats Of Cholera: A Cyclical Public Health Problem In Ghana, Rita Laryea Amediavor

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of communicable diseases continues to be one of the continent's leading causes of deaths. Cholera is a waterborne disease triggered by toxigenic strains of the Gram-negative bacteria Vibrio Cholerae O1 strain and less common O139 strain. with symptoms such as severe acute watery diarrhea and vomiting leading to dehydration, progressing to hypovolemic shock and death if not treated timely due to its short incubation period (Pasetto et al., 2018). West African countries are largely portrayed as endemic to cholera, though the dynamics of outbreaks in these developing countries remain largely uncertain. The purpose of the study is to …

Potential Role Of Ahr In Antibody Production, Mili Bhakta

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Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) mediates the immunosuppressive effects of 2,3,7,8 -tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) in murine B cells. The effects of AhR activation on the regulation of expression of human immunoglobulin isotypes (μ, γ1-4, α1-2 and ε) and Ig secretion is unclear. Our previous results using CL-01 cell-line originating from a Burkitt’s lymphoma patient, demonstrated an inhibitory effect of TCDD on IgG expression but a surprising and marked loss of IgG secretion when the AhR was knocked out by siRNA or CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. To determine if the AhR is a critical mediator of IgG expression, current study is focused on characterizing …