Postgraduate Researchers in Science Medicine Conference 2005: Abstracts
Putative Signalling Molecule Production by Campylobacter jejuni
Carmichael, S. J., England, R. R. & Greenway, D.
Campylobacter jejuni is a ubiquitous commensal organism of livestock, domestic/wild animals, wild birds and poultry. It is the predominant cause of gastrointestinal infection in the UK and is believed to be the primary pathogen associated with the development of the acute demyelinating polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial cell signalling mechanism that links gene regulation to population density, allowing the simultaneous regulation of genes within a given bacterial population.
The majority of QS systems characterised so far occur in bacteria that establish relationships, either pathogenic or symbiotic, with plant or animal hosts. QS mechanisms have been shown to regulate a variety of phenotypes including virulence factors and therefore are potential targets in virulence control.
This study provides preliminary evidence that some strains of C. jejuni produce QS signalling molecules, however the structure and genes regulated by the putative signalling molecule have yet to be elucidated.
Sarah Carmichael, Biological Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Maudland Building, Preston PR1 2HE
Postgrad Talent NW is supported by the NW Regional Hub of the Research Councils’ UK GRAD Programme.
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