Degree Type

Honors Capstone Project

Date of Submission

Spring 5-1-2014

Capstone Major

Biology

Capstone College

Arts and Science

Audio/Visual Component

no

Capstone Prize Winner

no

Won Capstone Funding

yes

Honors Categories

Sciences and Engineering

Subject Categories

Biochemistry | Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology

Abstract

Candidiasis, the yeast infection of the mouth, genitals, and blood can be fatal in individuals who are immunocompromised. In humans, Candidiasis is most commonly caused by the yeast, Candida albicans (C. albicans), but can also be caused by other Candida species .[1]

C. albicans demonstrates marked resistance towards Cu(II) but more sensitivity towards Co(II) compounds, especially in mutants that lack the CaCRP1 and CaCUP1 gene that encodes for the copper-transporting P-type ATPase and Metallothionein proteins, respectively.[2] Here, I will describe the effects of Co(II) and Cu(II) metal based complexes that incorporate a bridging pyrophosphate (PPi) moiety.

Currently, we are exploring potential mechanisms of copper resistance and cobalt sensitivity in C. albicans. We hope that in doing so, we can deepen our understanding of the nature of C. albicans sensitivity and shed more light on potential development of therapeutics.

The main focus of this report will focus on the relationship between Co(II) and Cu(II) during in vitro assays of C. albicans clinical isolates to measure growth and metal retention in C. albicans.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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