Transcriptional Upregulation of Meiotic Specific Genes Rad51 and DMC1 in Trichomonas vaginalis

Poster Number

34

Lead Author Major

Biological Sciences

Format

Poster Presentation

Faculty Mentor Name

Lisa Wrischnik

Faculty Mentor Department

Biological Sciences

Abstract/Artist Statement

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic eukaryote responsible for 250 million annual Trichomoniasis infections worldwide (Poole & McClelland, 2013). Despite the prevalence of T. vaginalis infections there is still much to learn about the organism and how to treat infections. Although there is evidence of conserved meiotic genes, sexual reproduction in Trichomonas has never been observed in a laboratory setting (Malik et al, 2008). The focus of my project is to examine transcriptional upregulation of these meiotic genes, such as Rad51 and DMC1, in hopes of understanding the conditions required for sexual reproduction. The discovery of conditions that induce T. vaginalis sex has large implications for understanding the rise of strains resistant to drug treatment and genetic exchange among potentially zoonotic species (Dunne, 2003).

Location

DeRosa University Center, Ballroom

Start Date

25-4-2015 10:00 AM

End Date

25-4-2015 12:00 PM

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Apr 25th, 10:00 AM Apr 25th, 12:00 PM

Transcriptional Upregulation of Meiotic Specific Genes Rad51 and DMC1 in Trichomonas vaginalis

DeRosa University Center, Ballroom

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic eukaryote responsible for 250 million annual Trichomoniasis infections worldwide (Poole & McClelland, 2013). Despite the prevalence of T. vaginalis infections there is still much to learn about the organism and how to treat infections. Although there is evidence of conserved meiotic genes, sexual reproduction in Trichomonas has never been observed in a laboratory setting (Malik et al, 2008). The focus of my project is to examine transcriptional upregulation of these meiotic genes, such as Rad51 and DMC1, in hopes of understanding the conditions required for sexual reproduction. The discovery of conditions that induce T. vaginalis sex has large implications for understanding the rise of strains resistant to drug treatment and genetic exchange among potentially zoonotic species (Dunne, 2003).