Summary
Oscar S Liu is a fourth-year Honors student pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Microbiology and Immunology at the 91·çÃùÄñ³ª. 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.