Title : Molecular crosstalk between the host and pathogen in Streptococcus pyogenes virulence

Abstract:

The molecular and cellular communication between the host and pathogen is critical to survival of both organisms after Group A Streptcoccus pyogenes (GAS) infection.  After attachment and invasion of the pathogen, the human host employs its innate immune system to ward off the bacterium.  GAS then rearranges its genome and protein expression according to the properties niche that is invaded.  This communication will be discussed in this presentation with emphasis on the humoral innate immune system of the host and the response of the bacterium to avoid its elimination.

Biography:

Dr. Castellino studied Chemistry as an undergraduate at the University of Scranton (PA) and graduated with a BS in 1964. He then was a graduate student in Biochemistry at the University of Iowa with Robert Barker, where he graduated with a M.S. and PhD. In 1968. Following this, he was a postdoctoral fellow at Duke University with Robert L Hill. Dr. Castellino joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame in 1970, where he remained to this day. He is currently the Kleiderer-Pezold Professor of Biochemistry.