Publications by authors named "H L Kain"

Bacteria possess hair-like projections on their surface termed pili. The primary function of a pilus is to enable bacterial cell attachment to the host. Since pili are associated with cell adhesion, they play a major role in bacterial colonization and infection.

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Multi-drug resistance in bacteria is emerging as a major global health challenge, causing substantial harm in terms of mortality, morbidity, and financial strain on healthcare systems. These bacteria are constantly acquiring new virulence factors and drug-resistance mechanisms, which highlights the critical need for innovative antimicrobial medicines and identification of new therapeutic targets, such as Sortase A (EfSrtA). EfSrtA, a transpeptidase significant for the adhesion and virulence of Enterococcus faecalis (E.

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Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is commonly occurring pathogen associated with nosocomial infections. Infections are difficult to treat because of their multidrug-resistant (MDR) nature and their tendency to form biofilms.

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Genetically engineered live sporozoites constitute a potential platform for creating consistently attenuated, genetically defined, whole-parasite vaccines against malaria through targeted gene deletions. Such genetically attenuated parasites (GAPs) do not require attenuation by irradiation or concomitant drug treatment. We previously developed a (Pf) GAP with deletions in , , and genes (PfGAP3KO) and demonstrated its safety and immunogenicity in humans.

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Prior to initiating symptomatic malaria, a single Plasmodium sporozoite infects a hepatocyte and develops into thousands of merozoites, in part by scavenging host resources, likely delivered by vesicles. Here, we demonstrate that host microtubules (MTs) dynamically reorganize around the developing liver stage (LS) parasite to facilitate vesicular transport to the parasite. Using a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen, we identified host regulators of cytoskeleton organization, vesicle trafficking, and ER/Golgi stress that regulate LS development.

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