Proteins Involved in the Antibody Response of NTHi

Protein D and outer membrane protein 26 (OMP26) are current protein vaccine candidates for non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae. In vivo studies, by our collaborators at RIT and Rochester General Hospital, of the antibody response elicited by a combination of these proteins has indicated that they may interact with each other. Our lab is interested in structurally characterizing these interactions using size exclusion chromatography, size exclusion chromatography small-angle X-ray scattering, and X-ray crystallography. We have grown crystals of protein D, OMP26, and protein D after a period of interaction with OMP26. Our lab is part of a Block Allocation Group at the X-ray source at the Brookhaven National Synchrotron Light Source II and will be collecting data on the crystals we have grown.