Category: Immunology

Disease, Health and Medicine, Immunology, Microbiota

Specific protein, TlyC in bacteria Rickettsia plays a determining factor in the pathogenesis of Spotted Fever disease

Author: Kang Lai, Class of 2026 Ticks are commonly known vectors that transmit pathogens from one host to another. The genus of bacteria known as Rickettsia contains a hemolysin factor that causes disease progression through lysis of red blood cells. Several strains of Rickettsia are analyzed to deduce the key virulence factor behind its epidemiology of the Spotted Fever pathogenesis.  Bacterial hemolysins are toxins that … Continue reading Specific protein, TlyC in bacteria Rickettsia plays a determining factor in the pathogenesis of Spotted Fever disease

Unknown's avatarYoung Investigators ReviewLeave a comment
Health, Health and Medicine, Immunology, Medicine and Physiology

Protein Packaging: How Filamentation Regulates the Activity of a Key Metabolic Enzyme

Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Figure 1. Painting representation of large biological molecules found within the bloodstream, including lipoproteins, which store triglycerides, and antibodies The metabolism of various lipids, such as triglycerides, within the body plays an incredibly important role in providing energy for crucial cells, such as those contained within the heart and other muscles. These metabolic processes are primarily catalyzed by metabolic … Continue reading Protein Packaging: How Filamentation Regulates the Activity of a Key Metabolic Enzyme

Unknown's avatarYoung Investigators ReviewLeave a comment
Health, Health and Medicine, Immunology, Medicine and Physiology

Booze or Sugar? How do stress and dependent mice choose between the two addictive substances? 

Author: Kang Lai, Class of 2026 Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a significant health problem, affecting more than 35 million Americans, diagnosed by the DSM-5. Despite such high prevalence, few medications exist that can effectively treat AUD. The neurobiological mechanisms influencing key reward-seeking areas such as the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegumental area of the brain still remain unclear to this day. A common feature … Continue reading Booze or Sugar? How do stress and dependent mice choose between the two addictive substances? 

Unknown's avatarYoung Investigators ReviewLeave a comment
2024-25, Biology, COVID-19, Health and Medicine, Immunology

Unraveling Long COVID: The Silent Impact of Reinfection

Tiffany Ang, Class of 2026 Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), or “Long COVID,” refers to ongoing or new symptoms that persist at least three months after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Common symptoms include chest pain, cognitive dysfunction, shortness of breath, brain fog, headache, and fatigue. A study by Dr. Luft from Stony Brook University investigated the association between SARS-CoV-2 re-infection and the incidence of PASC among … Continue reading Unraveling Long COVID: The Silent Impact of Reinfection

Unknown's avatarYoung Investigators ReviewLeave a comment
Biology, Immunology

Age Affects Lethality of Powassan Virus

Tiffany Ang, Class of 2025 The Powassan virus (POWV) is a member of the Flavivirus genus, an enveloped, positive-strand RNA virus transmitted by arthropod vectors, such as ticks. POWS is present in tick saliva and initially causes an asymptomatic infection. However, it can progress to cause encephalitis, brain inflammation, and neuronal cell depletion, among other central nervous system (CNS) damage. The study aims to examine … Continue reading Age Affects Lethality of Powassan Virus

Unknown's avatarYoung Investigators ReviewLeave a comment