Boo Shan Tseng, Melissa Schofield, Erin Cassin, and Daniela Rodriguez (all Life Sciences), and Amanda Kidman (Online Education), with co-authors Drs. Elizabeth Campbell (Rockefeller University) and Peter Jorth (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center) have published a primary research article titled, "The anti-sigma factor MucA is required for viability in Pseudomonas aeruginosa." P. aeruginosa forms chronic infections in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). In chronic lung infections, the bacteria often acquires mutations in mucA, which is associated with poor disease outcomes for people with CF. Although mucA is often mutated, paradoxically these authors found that bacterial cells die in the absence of this gene, suggesting that this protein may serve as a good antimicrobial target. Schofield and Cassin are doctoral candidates. Rodriguez is a UNLV Bachelor of Science graduate.
