BATS

Date/Time:

Sep 23, 2022 - 12:00 PM

Location:

Hosts:

Bevin Engelward

Speaker:

Title:

Stitch-seq: A Facile and High-throughput Perturbation Sequencing Method

Abstract:

Genetic perturbation screens, such as CRISPR screens, are invaluable tools for elucidating the relationships between genes and phenotypes. Recent technological advances have enabled the profiling of each cell’s complete transcriptional state following a perturbation. However, this is accomplished using single cell RNA sequencing, which is both expensive and laborious, making it impractical for genome-wide screens. Here, we present a facile and inexpensive perturbation sequencing method that can interrogate tens of thousands of genetic elements at once by selectively profiling key aspects of the cell state.

Speaker:

Title:

Intestinal Mucins Reduce the Virulence Potential of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli

Abstract:

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) serotype O157:H7 is a major foodborne pathogen that can cause severe, hemorrhaging diarrhea. Roughly one in 10 infections progresses to a life-threatening kidney condition known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, for which there are no treatments aside from supportive therapies. Upon entering the intestinal tract, EHEC encounters the mucus layer – a gelled network of mucin glycoproteins which protects the intestinal epithelia and serves as a home for the trillions of bacteria that comprise the gut microbiome. Here, we demonstrate that mucins are important biological cues that EHEC uses to tune its virulence activity. We further explore how mucus components may be leveraged to reduce features of severe infection.