Biological Sciences Colloquium: Dr. Eillen Tecle

Dr. Eillen Tecle, Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, will present a talk about her work entitled, “Purine nucleotide salvage enzymes regulate epithelial cell resistance to infection in C. elegans.”

The abstract is as follows:

“The Intracellular Pathogen Response (IPR) was identified as a common host transcriptional response to diverse natural intracellular pathogens in C. elegans, including the Orsay virus, as well as Microsporidia, which cause the most observed infection in wild-caught C. elegans. IPR genes in C. elegans are distinct from those induced by heat shock and other stressors. Constitutive IPR activation protects C. elegans from intracellular pathogen infection while compromising development and lifespan. Despite its dramatic effects on host physiology, we know little about how the IPR is activated, regulated, and promotes defense. However, we have identified a novel role for the C. elegans orthologs of human purine metabolism genes as negative regulators of the IPR. We are currently working to understand the mechanism by which these enzymes and, more broadly, purine metabolism regulate immunity.”

The presentation will begin at 4:00 PM in Lapham Hall N101, preceded by an informal reception from 3:45 – 4:00 PM.