Virulent E. coli strain 0157:H7 produces Shiga toxins as part of its mechanism of infection. Shiga toxin-2 is more virulent than toxin-1. The purpose of this MQP was to investigate this difference by testing the virulence of recombinant toxins whose subunits have been exchanged. To accomplish this, a production system for toxin subunits A and B had to be devised. This was originally attempted using suicide vector mutagenesis with no success, but was partially achieved using PCR-mediated gene replacement. The produced toxins will eventually be tested in a gnotobiotic piglet model for E. coli infection.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Coury, Rebecca Jeanne

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 01D146M

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2001

Sponsor

• Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine

Date created

• 2001-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright