Date of Award
2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Microbiology and Immunology
Supervisor
Dr. John McCormick
Second Advisor
Dr. David Heinrichs
Abstract
Because of the recent marked increase in serious infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, as well as the rising rates of antibiotic resistance demonstrated by these pathogens, it is essential that we identify targets that can form the basis of new anti-infective therapies. Using Streptococcus gordonii as a model bacterium and the CrdloxP system in the construction of a promoter trap, we have developed a novel strategy to study host-pathogen interactions that is capable of isolating bacterial promoters that are specifically induced in vivo. Also, the tools and reagents were designed such that they are applicable to other Gram-positive bacteria. Based on the assumption that in vivo induced genes are important for survival in the host environment, some of which may encode essential virulence factors, it will be important to characterize any genes identified using this strategy in more detail, as they may prove to be novel targets for new treatments
Recommended Citation
Kerr, Catherine M., "Development of a Novel System to Identify in vivo Induced Promoters of Gram-Positive Bacteria" (2006). Digitized Theses. 5011.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/5011
