Microbiology and Immunology
Area of Doctoral Study: Microbiology and Immunology
Undergraduate Institute: Augusta College
Research Advisor: Patrik Bavoil, Ph.D.
Description of Research
We have established a non-lethal, 10% total body surface area (TBSA) flame burn protocol for CD1 mice. Previous work with this model has identified a transient increase in bacterial infection susceptibility immediately post-burn, the formation of a seroma, and increased mortality due to infection at distal sites. H&E stains of the seroma at 12 hours post-burn and infection show sequestered neutrophils with toxic granulation and proliferation of P. aeruginosa. We have found circulating HMGB1 post-burn; when HMGB1 signaling is inhibited with P5779 under the same conditions, mortality decreases. We will investigate how these interactions change the innate immune response and infection susceptibility post-burn. We will examine potential sources of altered sterile and bacterial immune responses post-burn: DAMPs released, platelets activated, and subsequent infection susceptibility. This work will be supplemented with NanoString™, a customizable panel for specific genes of interest.