2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Cloning and Purification of S. aureus FnBPA, Hla, and IsdC Antigens

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Juliette Tinker

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that impacts bovine populations by forming biofilms on insufficiently sterilized milking equipment and leading to infection. When this pathogen spreads through bovine populations, it leads to decreased dairy product yields, thus causing supply shortages and increased prices for consumers. S. aureus is highly resistant to antibiotics and other therapeutics, requiring farmers to consider alternative treatments to ensure that their cows stay healthy. Vaccines targeting S. aureus for cows would provide improved clinical outcomes or protection from infection. Our research uses the FnBPA, Hla, and IsdC antigens as vaccine candidates for a potential S. aureus bovine vaccine. These antigens are critical virulence factors for S. aureus and can induce protective immune response. The genes for FnBPA, Hla, and IsdC were amplified via PCR and cloned into vectors to construct genetic fusions with cholera toxin B. Cholera toxin B will act as an immune stimulator molecule. Plasmids were then transformed into Escherichia coli. FnBPA was successfully isolated and purified using column chromatography. While Hla has been successfully transformed and awaits purification, IsdC is currently being transformed into an alternative E. coli strain to resolve purification challenges. These antigens show potential to be good candidates to use in a multivalent vaccine to minimize the effects of S. aureus on bovines as well as the dairy industry as a whole.

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