Vector-borne bacterial pathogens in the Rickettsia genus cause a variety of vascular febrile illnesses in humans. Because these pathogens cannot survive outside the host cell, they are highly adapted to the host environment and are thought to encode novel cell envelope factors, including the 17kDa surface antigen, which we hypothesize acts as a tether between the outer membrane and cell wall that stabilizes the rickettsial cell envelope. I aim to identify residues of 17kDa that are critical for its cell wall-binding ability and investigate this protein’s role in cell envelope morphology via cryo-electron tomography. An improved understanding of rickettsial cell envelope biology may reveal new targets for therapeutics that are needed to combat emerging infectious diseases.

I have always been interested in infectious diseases, and this project has been a great way to apply this interest in a research-based setting and learn more about host-pathogen interactions. I am excited to continue this project through SuperUROP, further strengthening my research skills.