Background
In 2021 I graduated from the University of Reading with a First Class in BSc Microbiology, receiving 2 awards for academic performance including the Undergraduate Microbiology Prize awarded by the Microbiology Society. I completed my final year bioinformatics research project analysing the phylogenetics of the iron exporter MbfA and how the intravacuolar pathogen Brucella spp. resists phagolysosomal killing. Overall, the content explored in my undergraduate degree was relatively broad, branching out to areas such as medical genetics and cancer, but it was the core modules centred on microbial pathogenesis which interested me most. Therefore, I decided to apply for the MSc Antimicrobial Resistance course at The University of Sheffield to expand my knowledge of pathogenesis and AMR whilst also gaining laboratory-based research experience during the summer project. Next year I intend to apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme to progress into a career as a clinical microbiologist. The knowledge and experience I will develop throughout the next year will be invaluable for a future career in a clinical setting due to the increasing significance of AMR. Florey MSc Research Project The role of stringent response genes relA, relP and relQ in the persistence of Streptococcus pyogenes I am currently undertaking a research project under the supervision of Dr Claire Turner, investigating the role of the stringent response in Streptococcus pyogenes. In response to amino acid deprivation the alarmones (p)ppGpp are produced, regulated by RelA, RelP and RelQ. This prevents RNA synthesis and leads to growth inhibition, biofilm formation and a persistent state. However, the functions of RelA, RelP and RelQ in S. pyogenes are not fully understood. The antibiotic mupirocin inhibits RNA synthesis and mimics amino acid deprivation. Therefore, we are investigating the growth response of mutant strains (lacking functional rel genes) in the presence of mupirocin. Additionally, we are also culturing human tonsil epithelial (HTE) cells to assess if adhesion or invasion is affected in mutant strains. The project could next progress to using RT-PCR to identify potential changes in gene expression between the wild-type and mutant strains, and in the presence of different stressors. |
The Team
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