Unisi Poster Presentation at San Miniato: Anthrax Studies

On Wednesday, June 3rd, the Emory Chemistry Department was welcomed by the University of Siena (Unisi) at their San Miniato campus. During this event, Unisi researchers presented some of their current projects to us. Overall, I learned the most from Dr. Baldari’s research on Anthrax.

In Anthrax Toxins Suppress Immune Cell Activation and Chemotaxis by Perturbing Receptor Signalling, Dr. Cosima Baldari and her research team analyze the pathogenic strains of Bacillus anthracis. Their experiment focuses on how the bacterial growth in the lymph nodes effectively shuts down the immune system.The bacteria releases a toxin made of three parts. The protective antigen (PA) forms complexes with either the edema factor (EF) or the lethal factor (LF) to help them enter the body’s cells.  The binary complexes, known as LT and ET, effectively suppress the T-cell activation and the production controlled by the antigen receptor. Overall, the two toxins halt major steps in the process of cellular signaling pertaining to T-cells, and, hence, the immune system.

After studying and speaking about the experiments with the researchers, I asked Dr. Baldari about anthrax in general terms. She explained anthrax is one of the world’s oldest and most studied diseases. For example, Anthrax Island (Gruinard Island off the Scottish Coast) is a location where British military scientists studied the disease as a biological warfare weapon against the Nazis. Dr. Baldari explained the basic series of events of how anthrax is spread. Anthrax spores are located in the soil and ground (she did not mention which parts of the world they are typically found). Animals, such as cows, then consume or inhale the spores while grazing. Humans receive the spores by interacting with the animals, typically farm workers or unlucky meat eaters who eat infected beef. The spores are especially dangerous once they are airborne.  They can survive for hundreds of years in an environment such as an envelope, and are very resilient organisms. However, there are vaccines for anthrax. Dr. Baldari continued, stating, that direct flesh contact like open wounds or inhaling the spores into the pulmonary system are the most common methods of contracting anthrax. The key step of the anthrax infection is when the spores make their way to the lymph nodes. Once in the lymph nodes, the lymphatic system shuts down, leading to edema and loss of vital organ functions. The vaccine must be taking quickly in hopes of suppressing the symptoms.

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with Dr. Baldari about anthrax, especially learning about the disease’s history. I hope to pursue research in immunology while studying at Emory and look forward to similar research to hers.