Dr. Arun Bhunia, BVSc, PhD, Professor of Food Microbiology will be presenting.  Title of seminar, Host cell receptor targeted bioengineered probiotics for prevention of infectious diseases.  

The gastrointestinal mucosa represents the first site for the dynamic interaction of the enteric pathogens with the host. Therefore, averting this critical pathogen interaction step especially binding to host cell receptors, should help prevent infection. Two major host cell receptors, E-cadherin and Hsp60 used by Listeria monocytogenes Internalin A (InlA) and Listeria adhesion protein (LAP), respectively were used as targets to generate our bioengineered Lactobacillus probiotics. Though InlA-expressing probiotic was effective in vitro, LAP-expressing probiotic significantly dampened NF-κB signaling and myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) activity and protected intestinal epithelial barrier integrity, reduced inflammatory response, and modulated immune response in mice. This probiotic also prevented fetoplacental transmission of Listeria in pregnant guinea pigs. The rational design of bioengineered probiotics targeting host cell receptors could be useful for preventing many infectious diseases.

This will be our last virtual seminar of the semester, please plan to attend here.