Month: April 2016

Megan Hunt and Terral Patel presented research in Syracuse, NY on the weekend of April 8th as a part of the 2016 ACC Meeting of the Minds Conference. Megan’s poster presentation focused on the impact of acuL and acuH on Cryptococcus neoformans virulence. Terral’s oral presentation explored the identification of signaling molecules in organelle regulation of Trypanosoma brucei.

Cheryl Ingram-Smith, Ph.D., a member of the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC), was recently awarded a 3-year, $423,966 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is studying metabolism in Entamoeba histolytica, which causes as many as 50 million cases of dysentery annually, with 50,000 to 100,000 deaths each year. E. histolytica is a water- and food-borne intestinal parasite that is a major public health problem in developing and underdeveloped countries with poor sanitation. This parasite is unusual in that it lacks many of the typical metabolic pathways and relies on scavenging to get many of the nutrients it needs. Entamoeba has several unusual adaptations to its primary metabolic pathway of glycolysis, which is used for the breakdown of glucose. We are investigating the role of two enzymes that may increase the function of the glycolytic pathway to better provide the cell with the energy it needs to live. A better understanding of Entamoeba metabolism during infection may reveal suitable targets for development of additional drugs against this parasite.

Stephen Patrick, a December 2015 Biochemistry graduate that is now the J. Morris Lab Manager, will be recognized at the May 2016 graduation ceremony with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, one of two given annually to Clemson students. This award is given annually “in recognition of the recipient’s influence for good, excellence in maintaining high ideals of living and genuine and disinterested service to others.” A tremendous honor, Stephen – great job!

Cheryl Jones, a student in the Ingram-Smith Lab, successfully defended her PhD thesis, entitled, “Investigating the role of ADP-forming acetyl-CoA synthetase from the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica.” Great work, Cheryl!