Uyanga Tsedev (BELCHER LAB)

Engineering M13 Bacteriophage Platforms for Tumor Imaging and Therapy Applications

We are expanding on the functionality of M13 bacteriophage as an engineerable nanotheragnostic for medical imaging and therapy applications, particularly in the case of difficult to reach tumors such as glioma. In two parts, I will first describe the assembly of M13 of smaller sizes, termed ‘inho’ phages, and second, blood brain barrier crossing with chlorotoxin peptide display on the capsid of M13.

Caroline Werlang (RIBBECK LAB)

Salivary Mucins Suppress Virulence Traits of Cavity-causing Streptococcus Mutans

Salivary mucin MUC5B prevents biofilm formation of cavity-causing Streptococcus mutans. Biofilm formation and competence pathways are linked in some bacteria through quorum sensing, so we hypothesize that MUC5B may inhibit natural transformation of S. mutans. Here, we show that MUC5B reduces transformation of S. mutans and reduces transcription of some quorum sensing genes, suggesting that production of MUC5B is a method the host uses to suppress virulence and gene transfer.