Xammy Nguyenla Rose Hills
Identification of IFN-inducible Genes Essential in Control of Tuberculosis Infection Using a CRISPR/Cas9 System
IFN- is a cytokine that has essential immunostimulatory and modulatory roles in innate and adaptive immune responses. More specifically it is released by host CD4+ T cells and has been shown to be essential in macrophage-mediated control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Many downstream pathways have been proposed, including ones involving inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), autophagy induction, and GTPase activity; however, some models are contradictory and others unclear, leaving IFN-dependent immunity against M.tb poorly understood. Previous RNASeq. data from the Stanley Lab identified a pool of genes upregulated by IFN- in macrophages infected with M.tb. With this as a foundation, we will use a CRISPR-Cas9 system to knock out and screen for prospect IFN-inducible genes in primary macrophages that are important for control of M.tb.
Message To Sponsor
Rose Hills Foundation, Thank you for providing me with the fellowship this past summer to carry out my research project centered on tuberculosis pathogenesis. It was some of the most intellectually and creatively challenging work that I've done so far in my undergraduate career. It has taught me so many new lab techniques and and provided me with an overall sense on how to approach scientific problems. After this, I can definitively say that I am going to pursue some kind of career in biomedical research. I will be continuing to look for research opportunities for the next couple years and will eventually apply to an MD or MD-PhD program. Thank you again for endorsing me!