CAS CONNECT 2015

16 “There are a number of other research teams working in the field of P. aeruginosa infec- tions in cystic fibrosis patients. Our group collaborates with several labs including those led by Dr. Erika Lutter (Oklahoma State University), Dr. Michael Franklin (Montana State University), Dr. Terry Machen (University of California), and Dr. Kangmin Duan (University of Manitoba, Canada),” says Patrauchan. “Science doesn’t work through individual works anymore. It is through working together and combin- ing efforts, expertise and skills that enables our progress.” Ultimately, Patrauchan says, in treating chronic infectious diseases, the battle boils down to between the bacterial cells growing in the biofilm and becoming resistant and scien- tists trying to come up with new and more efficient antimi- crobial treatments to clear the infection. “We have a lot of under- standing of what kind of bacterial pathogens are involved in this process and their mechanisms of resis- tance, but this information is not enough to come up with a cure,” says Patrauchan. “We need to generate more in-depth knowledge about the interactions between host and pathogens to come up with novel approaches for treatment. “We are trying to under- stand the molecular mecha- nisms of the communication between the infection agent or pathogen and the host. If we are successful in identi- fying the molecular mecha- nisms involved, these proteins may become novel targets for treatment.” Patrauchan’s lab has iden- tified several specific proteins that play a role in recogniz- ing calcium and responding to it by regulating P. aeruginosa virulence. “We are at the point now of testing the role of these proteins by using animal models,” says Patrauchan. “We are marching forward as fast as we possibly can, and we are testing these proteins through a variety of studies.” Once the identified proteins are tested and yield positive results, the research will focus on how those proteins can be targeted or silenced. “What can we treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa with so it will no longer recognize calcium?” says Patrauchan. “What can we do so it will not be able to adjust to the host environment and become more virulent and resistant as well as it does when recogniz- ing elevated levels of calcium in cystic fibrosis patients?” It isn’t just cystic fibro- sis patients who can poten- tially benefit from Patrauchan’s research. Many other diseases and medical conditions are also associated with elevated levels of calcium and bacte- rial infections. That’s why Dr. Patrauchan’s lab has been partially funded by the American Heart Association, along with the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology and the National Institutes of Health. “The American Heart Association is interested in advancing our understand- ing of the molecular mech- anisms triggering bacterial infections in the lungs as well as the heart,” says Patrauchan. “Calcium signaling plays a major role in cystic fibro- sis and the heart diseases that are associated with infec- tion caused by several bacte- ria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ” Patrauchan and her team are paving the way for treat- ment for a variety of diseases through their research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa . “We are really pioneer- ing this research in calcium signaling in bacteria,” says Guragain. “We are doing the research that is really trying to develop solid evidence that could open a whole new dimension.” Considering that possibil- ity brings Patrauchan to a full stop. What would it mean to her if her research leads to a treatment of cystic fibrosis? “It would mean the whole world to me,” says Patrauchan, her eyes starting to water from the strong emotions. “The true motivation for this research isn’t coming from the excite- ment from positive results, the excitement from getting funded, the excitement from getting published or the excite- ment of your colleagues build- ing on your work. The true motivation is coming from the understanding that one day what you worked on will be helping people who are suffer- ing. That’s what makes my work meaningful to me.” Dr. Marianna Patrauchan (from left) wi th members of her team, Mani ta Guragain, Michel le King and Sharmi ly Khanam.