Christine Zheng (BRYSON LAB)

Self-labeling Mtb Enables Identification and Enrichment of Mtb-derived Proteins from Infected Macrophages

The protein dynamics of both Mtb and host cells influence infection outcome. Previous studies of Mtb-infection have largely focused on host proteins due to the relative differences in biomass. To facilitate discrimination and enrichment of low-abundance Mtb proteins from host cells, we engineered Mtb that enzymatically label their own proteome. By enriching for labeled proteins, we were able to detect previously undetectable Mtb proteins in infected cells. This provides an unbiased way to identify Mtb proteins relevant in infection, potentially informing novel Mtb vaccine designs.

Felicia Rodriguez (MANALIS LAB)

Chemostatic System for Culture of Patient Derived Colorectal Cancer Organoids

Colorectal cancer (CRC) tumors in vivo are exposed to a steep oxygen gradient between the intestinal lumen and the capillary bed of the tissue. To recapitulate this environmental setting in vitro, we have engineered a platform to control a stable hypoxic oxygen gradient across a 3D tissue of patient-derived CRC organoids. Using our Chemostatic platform, we can measure oxygen consumption of a tissue under the gradient to investigate the metabolic state of the tissue and how environmental oxygen gradients affect cancer growth and invasion.