MARTX toxin effector domains modulate virulence of foodborne Vibrio vulnficus

Goal: Elucidate the mechanisms of foodborne Vibrio vulnificus pathogenesis for the ultimate improvement of food safety.Objective 1: Define the mechanism of MARTX toxin effector-mediated epithelial disruption.Perform pathology and histochemical analyses of infected mouse tissue samples.Examine interactions between V. vulnificus, the intestinal epithelium, and PMNs in vivo.Examine mechanisms of epithelial barrier disruption in vitro.Objective 2: Explore bi-directional virulence modulation by discrete MARTX toxin effector domains.Determine the role of individual effector domains in bacterial dissemination in vivo.Test correlation between virulence potential and in vitro intestinal barrier dysfunction.Develop a fish model of V. vulnificus infection and test relative strain virulence.