Ava in front of her poster.

Award Recipient: Ava Obenaus, PhD Candidate, Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle

Supervisor: Nathan Sniadecki

Conference: Earl W. Davie Symposium on November 13, 2024

Location: Vancouver, BC 

Oral/Poster Presentation Title: Streptococcus gordonii Promotes Thrombosis Through Binding Sialoglycans on Platelet Receptor GPIbα in a Microfluidic Device

In November, I had the privilege of traveling just a few hours north of Seattle to attend the annual EWD Symposium, thanks to the generous support of the Centre for Blood Research External Travel Award. I first attended this symposium back in 2022, and it has been one of my favorite meetings ever since. This year, I was thrilled to return, even though my schedule only allowed for a quick trip. While I didn’t have the chance to explore Vancouver this year, the incredible research and engaging scientists at the EWD Symposium made the rainy, dark drive and whirlwind 25-hour trip absolutely worthwhile.

Ava asking a question at the symposium.

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing from collaborators at the University of Washington and Bloodworks Northwest Research Institute as they shared their work. Equally inspiring were the presentations from other researchers. Emily Bucciol and Michelle Sholzberg gave particularly impactful talks about von Willebrand Factor (VWF) in women, while Malina Piscociu shared her personal experience with ITP in a way that was both moving and insightful.

I was excited to share my research about bacteria and platelet interactions under microfluidic shear gradients as both a poster an oral presentation. Infective endocarditis (IE) is initiated when platelets and bacteria form vegetations on the surface of damaged cardiac valves. Siglec-like adhesions on Streptococcus gordonii, an oral bacterium, selectivity bind to sialoglycans on GPIbα. Ιn preliminary studies, we evaluated four isogenic S. gordonii M99 variants, each with distinct sialoglycan binding preferences, and observed increased aggregation, platelet activation, and bacteria incorporation for strains that bind to core 2 sialoglycans over strains that bind to core 1 sialoglycans. These results suggest that bacterial sialoglycan selectivity plays a critical role in thrombosis and may drive infective endocarditis progression.

Ava presenting her oral talk.

I am deeply grateful to the Centre for Blood Research External Travel Award for making my attendance at the EWD Symposium possible this year. The opportunity to present my research on bacteria-platelet interactions and to engage with such a talented and inspiring community of scientists was invaluable. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the organizers of the EWD Symposium for creating a dynamic and collaborative environment that fosters meaningful discussions and connections. This meeting continues to be one of my favorites, and I look forward to future opportunities to contribute and learn from this incredible community.

*With funding from the Sheldon Naiman and Linda Vickars Endowment Fund, the CBR supports travel and accommodation expenses for trainees to attend and present at the EWD symposium.