Erin Holley

• CDT Doctoral Researcher Supervisors: Dr Neil Keegan
• Email: E.Holley@newcastle.ac.uk
• Project Title: Generation of DNA aptamers for the detection of active and latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Institution: Newcastle University

Project Summary: Mycobacterium tuberculosis has a unique cell membrane composed of mycolic acids and mycolate esters that have complex biochemistry that can indicate if the bacterium is in the latent/asymptomatic form, or in the active/contagious form. This is indicated by the number of carbons on the mycolic acid tails, with fewer carbons indicative of the latent form. We will be generating novel DNA aptamers that have to ability to detect and differentiate between the latent and active forms.  

Interesting Fact: I got a lifetime ban from an airline when I was 6 years old