Burkholderia Proteomoics
EMSL Project ID
30393
Abstract
Burkholderia mallei, a biothreat agent, is the causative bacterial agent of glanders. Currently, there is no rapid discriminating diagnostic assay, no vaccine, and no reliable therapy. Gaps in our understanding of this microbe and lack of rapid diagnostics may be narrowed after identifying relevant nucleotide sequence and antigenic targets. To close the gaps, we have a unique opportunity to perform a proteomic complement to a separately funded genomic sequencing project of several virulent and avirulent (attenuated) strains (project underway with successful completion of sequences of several relevant strains which we possess). We hypothesize that certain proteins are produced in critical concentrations, or not at all from the microbe and that this accounts for its virulence and can provide diagnostic targets. We propose to perform advanced comparative proteomic (mass spectrometry platforms) studies on products of strains of B. mallei of different virulent and avirulent phenotypes. This will provide complementary and convergent data to the genomic data to see if the protein(s) is produced at a level of biologic significance. We envision the use of both ion trap and FTICR instruments for this research that will preliminary consist of the proteomic characterization different cell culture preparations from at least two different phenotypic strains of Burkholderia mallei grown under different clinically relevant stress conditions of different temperatures, pH, and iron exposure. We believe the advanced mass spectrometry capabilities of EMSL with its superior quantitative and highly sensitive measurements will maximize the outcomes from this project.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2008-09-15
End Date
2011-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members