PhD Proposal Examination – Charlene Lancaster (Terebiznik lab)

PhD Proposal Exam

Thursday November 24^th, 2:30 pm – Earth Sciences Centre, Rm. ESC 3056

Charlene Lancaster (Terebiznik lab)

“Elucidation of Mechanisms Controlling Phagolysosome Resolution”

Abstract

Phagocytosis is a process that is critical for development, immunity, tissue maintenance, tissue remodelling and generally the homeostasis of the organism. Despite the importance of this process to the overall biology of organisms, the mechanisms in which the phagocyte finally rids itself of the phagolysosome have not yet been elucidated. We propose that this phase of phagocytosis includes the degradation of the target particle and the recycling of cellular components for further use within the phagocyte and thus could be deemed the phagolysosome resolution phase. Utilizing long, fixed bacterial filaments as phagocytic targets, we will characterize phagolysosome resolution by investigating the distribution of phagolysosome markers and phagosomal conditions over time, as well as determine the mechanisms controlling the retrieval of host cell components. Intracellular pathogens avoid death by disturbing normal host cell events in order to transform the phagosome into its own stable compartment. Therefore, we will also investigate if pathogens are avoiding intracellular destruction by manipulating phagolysosome resolution. Overall we hope this research will contribute to the general understanding of the phagocytic process, as well as the manipulation of this process by pathogens.