Leigh Knodler
Associate Professor, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
Advisor, Accelerated Master's Program
Adviser, Master's of Science
Alma mater(s)
- Ph.D. Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of New South Wales, Australia
Affiliated Department(s)
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Areas of expertise
bacteria-host cell interactions in the gut, enteric bacteria, host-pathogen interactions, type III secretion systems, salmonella enterica, providencia alcalifaciens,
BIO
- Received her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics from the University of New South Wales, Australia, studying novel metabolic pathways in the protozoan parasite, Giardia lamblia.
- For postdoctoral research she studied developmental gene regulation in Giardia lamblia at the University of California, San Diego and Salmonella enterica-host interactions at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
- Transitioned to a Staff Scientist position at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH studying Salmonella-host cell interactions.
- Started own research group at Washington State University in 2012. She received tenure and promotion to Associate Professor in 2019.
- Joined the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in 2023.
Courses
- MMG 6110 - Advanced Bacterial Genetics
- MMG 6990 - Host-Microbe Interactions
Publications
Bio
- Received her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics from the University of New South Wales, Australia, studying novel metabolic pathways in the protozoan parasite, Giardia lamblia.
- For postdoctoral research she studied developmental gene regulation in Giardia lamblia at the University of California, San Diego and Salmonella enterica-host interactions at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
- Transitioned to a Staff Scientist position at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH studying Salmonella-host cell interactions.
- Started own research group at Washington State University in 2012. She received tenure and promotion to Associate Professor in 2019.
- Joined the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in 2023.
Courses
- MMG 6110 - Advanced Bacterial Genetics
- MMG 6990 - Host-Microbe Interactions
Publications
Salmonella-Intestinal Epithelial Cell Interactions
Research in our lab focuses on gastrointestinal diseases. We aim to understand how pathogenic bacteria colonize the gut, proliferate and spread. These confocal microscopy images show Salmonella enterica replicating in different intracellular compartments in intestinal epithelial cells.
Left image: Salmonella (in green) replicate in membrane-bound vacuoles (labeled in red) or free in the cytosol of epithelial cells. Right image: mCherry Salmonella also fluoresce green when they experience metal ion stress in the epithelial cytosol.
Lab Team
Emilia Norberg, technician
Hannah Marsh, AMP student
Aspen Mrak, undergraduate
Cecelia Lazzaro, undergraduate
Hannah Marsh, AMP student
Aspen Mrak, undergraduate
Cecelia Lazzaro, undergraduate