Hometown: Dillsboro, NC

Year in School: Senior

Major: Molecular Biology and Medical Chemistry

Project Abstract:

Pathogenic bacteria wreak havoc on life all over the world and use virulent proteins that give them these destructive capabilities. Research groups all over the world investigate these proteins by trying to understand more about how they operate. This research project investigated an unidentified protein in Staphylococcus aureus (PDB: 3UN6). This bacterium is known to cause Staph infections and has the capability to become drug resistant (Taylor and Unakal). We predict that 3UN6 is the substrate binding unit of an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that attaches to the cell within the periplasmic space and is helping transport nitrate into the cell. 

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amanda Storm, Biology