Lauren Chen is an undergraduate researcher in the Nan Lab, where she investigates the role of lytic transglycosylases (LTGs) in bacterial cell wall remodeling. Her project focuses on two LTGs and their involvement in sporulation, a critical survival process for many bacteria.
To explore this, Lauren compares fluorescent protein (PAmCherry) labeled LTGs during vegetative growth and sporulation. Using single-particle tracking PALM (sptPALM), she generates fluorescent labels to monitor LTG movement at the cellular level. She then analyzes these images in MATLAB to calculate diffusion coefficients across polar and non-polar regions of the cell, providing new insights into how LTG activity influences peptidoglycan dynamics during sporulation.
Lauren says that research has strengthened her perseverance in the face of experimental challenges, improved her time management, and deepened her appreciation for teamwork. “Working closely with peers has shown me the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful results,” she reflects.