Summary
Oscar S Liu is a fourth-year Honors student pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Microbiology and Immunology at the 夜色视频. He is completing courses in immunology, independent study, and problems in infection and immunity. Oscar is under the mentorship of Dr. Yftah Tal-Gan and his graduate student Keely Rodriguez, where they explore the Streptococcus bacteria quorum-sensing system, a cell-cell signaling communication mechanism. Like many bacterial pathogens, Streptococcus utilizes quorum-sensing to initiate and synchronize their virulence factors against the host. Understanding their quorum-sensing system could lead to potential quorum-sensing interference and provide drug-alternative therapeutics without the risk of development of resistance. Oscar's undergraduate research role is in investigating the immunogenic effect(s) of Streptococcus quorum-sensing molecules on mammalian macrophages. His research has the potential to be added and published to larger projects within Dr. Yftah Tal-Gan's research group. Oscar hopes to apply his undergraduate research experience to further advance his journey in academic pedagogy, interdisciplinary research and graduate school.