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| Oluwagbenro Adesunloro |
By Casandra Andrews
Oluwagbenro Adesunloro, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Whiddon College of Medicine, recently presented his research at the Southeastern Branch of the American Society for Microbiology (SEB-ASM) conference in Athens, Georgia.
Adesunloro, a member of the Shea Lab, delivered an oral presentation on the role of amyloid beta during urinary tract infection. “The conference was a wonderful experience that provided an opportunity to connect with colleagues from other institutions and discuss my research,” he said.
Amyloid beta is a small protein best known for its link to Alzheimer’s disease, where it builds up in the brain. But new research, including work from USA collaborator Jonathan Audia, Ph.D., in sepsis, suggests that it might also play a role in the body’s natural immune defense, said Allyson E. Shea, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology. “With Olu’s project, we are exploring this idea for the first time in urinary tract infections.”
When bacteria invade, the immune system fights back, and some evidence shows that amyloid beta can act like an antimicrobial peptide — it can trap or damage bacteria and may even help signal other immune responses. The tricky part, notes Shea, “is that while this might help control infection, too much amyloid beta can also cause inflammation and tissue damage. Our goal is to understand when it helps and when it hurts.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, Adesunloro was honored with a travel award in recognition of his contributions to the conference.
“Olu did an outstanding job presenting this work,” Shea said. “His oral presentation was clear, confident, and engaging, which is likely why he was recognized with a travel award for his performance. He represented both our lab and the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program exceptionally well, as a Dean’s Fellowship recipient. His professionalism and enthusiasm reflect the strength of our training environment and the promise of his future as a scientist.”
The Southeastern Branch of the American Society for Microbiology is a regional division of the ASM representing microbiologists across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The branch promotes and advances microbial sciences through education, research, and collaboration among scientists, educators and students.
