Current Research
Roles of Essential Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation
A biofilm is a collection of surface attached microorganisms that exist in an extracellular matrix that serves as a protective barrier against antibiotics and other environmental stressors. Several studies have identified gene pathways that are important for biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but these studies lack the ability to assess the roles of essential genes. Here, I propose the use of a P. aeruginosa essential gene knockdown library to discover novel connections between core cellular processes and biofilm formation. My goal is to find essential gene knockdowns that positively or negatively impact biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. These findings may lead to new therapeutic strategies that can simultaneously disrupt biofilm formation and the viability of P. aeruginosa by perturbing a single pathway.