Bao Nguyen

My project focuses on understanding the mechanisms and regulation of biofilm formation in Vibrio cholorae by a widely conserved key signaling molecule, cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP). CdgH, a c-di-GMP producing enzyme that can bind to various amino acids, particularly arginine, is the subject of my research. I am determining how arginine sensing impacts cellular c-di-GMP signaling, biofilm formation, and CdgH signal transduction pathways.

My project focuses on characterizing a signal transduction system regulating biofilm formation. Biofilms are surface-attached microbial communities surrounded by an extracellular matrix. I am studying how the human pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the disease cholera, regulates biofilm formation in response to environmental signals. Biofilm formation is important for environmental survival, infectivity, and transmission of V. cholerae. My project focuses on understanding the mechanisms and regulation of V. cholerae biofilm formation by a widely conserved key signaling molecule, cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP). C-di-GMP is produced by diguanylate cyclases and degraded by phosphodiesterases. Many DGCs and PDEs have sensory domains, and external cues control their enzymatic activity; however, we do not fully understand the molecular mechanisms through which c-di-GMP controls biofilm formation, the composition of c-di-GMP networks, and the identity of environmental input signals controlling these networks. CdgH, a V. cholerae DGC that can bind to various amino acids, particularly arginine, is the subject of my research. I am determining how arginine sensing impacts cellular c-di-GMP signaling, biofilm formation, and CdgH signal transduction pathways.