Faculty Advisor: <\/strong>Annette Bollmann, Microbiology<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking at organisms in isolation often proves to be useful to study behavior objectively in most cases. However, it may not paint the accurate picture of what really happens. In Dr. Bollmann\u2019s lab we look at AOB (ammonia oxidizing bacteria) and AOA (ammonia oxidizing archaea) not just in isolation but also how they interact with each other. More specifically, we are attempting to evaluate the membrane proteins of these organisms because of the diverse functions that these proteins possess such as energy metabolism, transport, and signaling. One of the challenges that is faced when trying to study these proteins is isolating them as functional units. Proteins are embedded within their respective membranes and once they are removed from their native environment they become denatured and unfold. Outer membrane vesicles can be secreted from bacteria and resemble the membrane of their parent. By isolating proteins and reconstituting them within these vesicles it may be possible to observe these proteins in an environment similar to their native membrane in order to maintain their configuration. Due to COVID-19, in-lab research was not possible and so a dive into the research and protocols of other labs became the task at hand. From my research, outer membrane vesicles have showed great results in the experiments conducted and have been more successful than artificial lipid bilayers. In addition to a higher effectiveness, they are much more efficient with their production in terms of times and resources. With that there are more questions to be answered. Can we apply these techniques to inner membrane proteins as efficient as outer membrane proteins? Is it possible to translate this to target organisms such as the ones in the lab? More questions are needed to be answered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Author: <\/strong>Grant Hartwig<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faculty Advisor: <\/strong>Annette Bollmann, Microbiology<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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