Capsule production in Streptococcus equi subspecies

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan which exists ubiquitously in organisms, where it possesses a range of important functions. Due to the rheological properties and biocompatibility of HA solutions, it has been employed as a device used in ophthalmic surgery for cushioning of the vitreous humor as well as a lubricant for the treatment of arthritic joints. More recently it has been the target of research in regenerative medicine and cancer treatment due to its tolerance for chemical modifications and cross linking. The current most commonly used method for HA production is bacterial fermentation. Group C Streptococcus species produce HA as a protective capsule in order to evade immune responses of their hosts. These are fastidious pathogenic organisms, and the fermentation process requires strict regulation of culture parameters in order to obtain optimum yields. My research aims to compare capsule production between subspecies of Streptococcus equi in order to identify ways of improving yield and/or product molecular weight, both important aspects in biomanufacturing of HA. A range of metabolic and genomic approaches are being taken and advances to date will be described in the seminar.