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Helina Marshall: In-Vivo Relationship between the Nano-Biomechanical Properties of Streptococcal Polysaccharide Capsules and Virulence Phenotype

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In common with many bacterial pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae has a polysaccharide capsule, which facilitates immune evasion and determines virulence.

Recent data has shown that the closely related Streptococcus mitis also express polysaccharide capsules including those with an identical chemical structure to S. pneumoniae capsular serotypes. 
We utilised atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques to investigate the biophysical properties of S. mitis and S. pneumoniae strains expressing the same capsular serotypes that might relate to differences in virulence potential. (Click here to read full publication