Isabella Lin conducts research in the Nan Lab, where she studies the bacterial cell wall and how its structure can be targeted by antibiotics. The cell wall is strengthened by peptidoglycan (PG), a key molecule that protects bacterial cells from osmotic lysis and provides structural integrity. Because many antibiotics act by disrupting PG synthesis, understanding how bacteria grow and remodel their PG is essential for developing new medicines.
Isabella’s project investigates whether supercharged peptidoglycan synthases (aPBPs) can promote PG assembly independent of the Rod system and whether aPBPs interact with Rod components. She and her graduate mentor used Western blotting and TADA staining to visualize newly synthesized PG while systematically deleting certain aPBP genes. These experiments contribute to a deeper understanding of the enzymes and pathways that bacteria rely on for survival.
Through this work, Isabella has learned valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and collaboration. “Experiments don’t always go as planned, and instead of being discouraged, I had to learn to adapt and change my approaches,” she reflects. Research has also strengthened her ability to connect classroom learning to real-world science and highlighted the importance of communication in the lab.