White nose syndrome is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, and affects two bat species in Michigan, tricolored and northern long-eared bats. The fungus infects bats during their hibernation, causing the collagen in their noses to slowly degrade due to proteolytic enzymes produced by the fungus1. This causes the bats to awaken from hibernation prematurely, which results in them becoming lethargic with no resources to sustain life and die. There is currently no widespread treatment to prevent P. destructans infections in bats. (Citation)
It has been shown that collagen degeneration is due to serine proteases produced by the fungus1. We aim to engineer E. coli that secrete a serine protease inhibitor to prevent collagen degradation. This could be deployed in caves, perhaps as a spray, which would increase bat survival.
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2.Micalizzi EW, Smith ML. Volatile organic compounds kill the white-nose syndrome fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, in hibernaculum sediment. Can J Microbiol. 2020 Oct;66(10):593-599. doi: 10.1139/cjm-2020-0071. Epub 2020 Jun 2. PMID: 32485113.
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