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Molecular Biology Major Wins Award at Regional Symposium

Posted on Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Kristen Enterline, a Westminster College senior molecular biology major, earned one of two awards for Outstanding Poster presentation at the 30th annual Undergraduate Biology Symposium for Western Pennsylvania April 18 at Waynesburg University.

Enterline is a daughter of Brad and Lauri Enterline of Erie and a graduate of McDowell High School.

Enterline's senior capstone research, "Suppression of Ampicillin Resistance in Escherichia coli using siHybrids," was advised by Dr. Joshua Corrette-Bennett, Westminster associate professor of biology.

"Kristen's capstone research focused on the functional aspects of suppressing a specific type of antibiotic resistance (ampicillin) in the model organism Escherichia coli," Corrette-Bennett said. "Her results clearly indicate that passive up-take of short nucleotides can produce target-specific suppression of antibiotic resistance, making the bacteria more sensitive to common antibiotics. Her results, while preliminary, are exciting and encouraging, and open up a host of possibilities for suppression of other types of antibiotic resistance, as well as figuring out the underlying cellular mechanisms."

Enterline has accepted a position with Sorenson Genomics, a Salt Lake City firm that specializes in DNA genotyping and DNA sequencing.

A significant portion of Enterline's project was funded by research and presentation grants from Westminster's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

The Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was created to enrich undergraduate education at Westminster through advancing world-class teaching as well as by participating in collaborations that address community and regional needs including strengthening K-12 education. The Undergraduate Research Initiative provides funding for students to conduct research and to present their research at regional and national conferences.

Contact Corrette-Bennett at (724) 946-7208 or e-mail corretjc@westminster.edu for additional information.

Kristen Enterline