Research at
Gallaudet University
2005 - 2006

Production of Multiple Lipooligosaccharide Epitopes by Neisseria Gonnorrhoeae as Mediated by Differential Transcription of the IgtABCDE Genes

Status: Completed Begin date: No set date End date: September 30, 2005

Description

The Neisseriaceae include N. gonorrhoeae, which causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea, and N. meningitidis which causes meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. Both diseases are prevalent worldwide. The development of vaccines against these pathogens has been complicated by the fact that the Neisseriaceae are able to elude the host immune system through variation of surface components, especially lipooligosaccharide (LOS). This study investigated some principal questions about the genetic basis of lipooligosaccharide phase variation.

Investigators