Doctoral Candidate

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Veterinary Pathobiology

University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)

Deborah Anderson

The role of the Yersinia pestis type three secretion system effector protein YopK in promoting disease through cell death induction and immunomodulation

My dissertation work involves dissecting the role of the Yersinia pestis type three effector protein YopK during pneumonic and septicemic plague. We have found that this protein promotes cell death (caspase-3 apoptosis) in macrophages in a cell type-dependent manner and helps prevent detection of the pathogen by CCR2+ cells. The second aspect of my work involves dissecting the role of MCP-1 and CCR2 during CO92 yopK pneumonic plague and how CCR2+ cells clear this pathogen, including monocytes, macrophages, T and B cells, and neutrophils. In the third part of my dissertation work, I am constructing mutants of the Y. pestis YopK protein that may abolish binding of YopK to its effectors in the cell, including RACK1 and possibly disrupt its ability to induce caspase-3 cleavage in vitro and thus affect the virulence of the strain. Side projects have involved determining the role of Mr1 and MAIT cells in the clearance of yopK pneumonic plague and aerosolization of both Y. pestis KIM D27 (BSL2 strain) and CO92 (BSL3 strain) in mice and rats, and the role of stress that stress plays on the deposition of Y. pestis aerosols in both animal models.

2004-2006 Diagnostic Microbiology Bench Technician- Cox South Hospital, Springfield, Missouri

2011 Honorable Mention- Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference

2010 2nd Place, Oral Presentation at Veterinary Medicine and Health Sciences, Research and Creative Activities Forum, University of Missouri

2009 Travel Award, Graduate Professional Council, American Society for Microbiology General Meeting

2002-2005 Board of Governor's Scholarship Awardee

2002-2005 Bright Flight Scholarship