Examining the impact of removing cross-linking disulfide bonds on the stability of an Ena Pilus filament under applied tension force

Abstract

Spore-forming bacteria are an issue because they can ruin and spoil food and can make people sick. These bacterial spores can stick to many surfaces, withstand high heat, and are hard to kill even with disinfectants. Bacterial Pillus are hairlike structures found on the surface of a bacteria that are known for their powerful adhesive properties, optimized for attaching to target cells. We are observing an S-ena pillis filament which are endospore appendages found on spores with no disulfide bonds.