Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 4-15-2019

Abstract

The goal of this investigation is to study mechanisms the immune cell receptor, Dectin-1, uses to identify the fungal cell species, Candida albicans. Dectin-1 identifies extracellular matrix polysaccharides that Candida albicans express known as β-glucan. To study the interaction of β-glucan – Dectin-1 at the nanoscopic scale, the investigators of this project have endeavored to model the Candida albicans cell wall with engineered Self-Assembled Monolayers presenting β-glucan as a ligand for immobilized Dectin-1 receptors. By engineering a simplified ex-vivo model of the Candida albicans cell wall, the investigators of this study aim to gain precise control of the composition and structure of the delicate embedded nanostructured supra-molecular assemblies that define the cell wall of Candida albicans. The investigator has proposed developing the synthetic model of the cell wall using Self-Assembled Monolayers and Biotin-Streptavidin chemistry to host β-glucan polysaccharides as ligands.

Language

English

Keywords

Candida albicans, Beta-Glucan, Self-Assembled Monolayers, Streptavidin, Biotin

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biomedical Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Biomedical Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Aaron Neumann

Second Committee Member

David Whitten

Third Committee Member

Linnea Ista

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