BATS

Date/Time:

Apr 21, 2017 - 12:00 PM

Location:

Hosts:

Bevin P. Engelward

Speaker:

Title:

Utilizing Protein Carriers to Engineer More Potent Cancer Vaccines

Abstract:

Despite the clinical success of several immunomodulatory agents in oncology, cancer vaccines have thus far disappointed in the clinic. A major reason for this could be the low bioavailability of peptide vaccines in lymphoid organs that orchestrate the immune response. By anchoring vaccine cargo to protein carriers, we enhance immunogenicity and improve anti-tumor responses in a therapeutic setting. Additionally, because both cargo and carrier are genetically encodable, this strategy may enable a diverse array of vaccination modalities.

Speaker:

Title:

Microbial Hitchhiking Promotes Dispersal and Colonization of New Niches by Staphylococci

Abstract:

Little is known about how non-motile bacteria can effectively spread and colonize distant ecological niches. We show that non-motile staphylococci like human pathogen S. aureus can hitchhike on swimming bacteria in the same environment, leading to extended and directed motion. By leveraging the motility of swimming bacteria, it was observed that staphylococci can colonize new niches that are less available in the absence of swimming carriers, highlighting the importance of considering interspecies interactions in polymicrobial communities.