Damon Runyon Researchers

Emerging evidence implicates the pathogenic bacterium C. difficile as an initiator of colorectal cancer. C. difficile exposure can lead to chronic recurrent disease that is difficult to clear with antibiotics. The generation of spores is a well-studied mechanism used by C. difficile to persist; however, other mechanisms of recurrent infection remain poorly understood. Dr. Price [Merck Fellow] hypothesizes that biofilms may function as reservoirs of C. difficile and aims to elucidate their role in disease relapse. She will employ innovative imaging strategies to visualize the composition and development of C. difficile biofilms in the gastrointestinal tract, with the goal of generating insight that will improve treatments for C. difficile infections and identify strategies to prevent colorectal cancer. Dr. Price received her PhD from University of Louisville, Louisville and her BS from University of Tennessee, Knoxville.