Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
BIO
At the big picture level, we are interested in how bacteria detect their surroundings and respond accordingly, both during infection and when in the presence of other bacteria. Our primary organism of choice is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterial pathogen that commonly resides in tap water. We are interested in how P. aeruginosa detects the host lung environment to regulate infection and how it interacts with other bacteria in its pre-infection niche in the water system.
As microbial geneticists, we conduct genetic screens, do transcriptomics, and generate gene deletions, over-expression strains, and reporter strains to identify and characterize the function of genes important for P. aeruginosa growth, survival, and/or pathogenesis. The end goal of our research is to identify metabolic or regulatory pathways important for infection that can be targeted to develop new anti-infectives or adjunctive therapies.
Some projects currently ongoing include:
- How does P. aeruginosa detect host sphingolipids?
- How are the sphingolipid-related virulence factors of P. aeruginosa regulated and what are their functions during infection?
- Can we inhibit P. aeruginosa detection or metabolism of sphingolipids as a potential therapeutic option?
- How does P. aeruginosa detect and interact with other opportunistic pathogens in the water system?
Area(s) of expertise
Microbial genetics, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Bio
At the big picture level, we are interested in how bacteria detect their surroundings and respond accordingly, both during infection and when in the presence of other bacteria. Our primary organism of choice is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterial pathogen that commonly resides in tap water. We are interested in how P. aeruginosa detects the host lung environment to regulate infection and how it interacts with other bacteria in its pre-infection niche in the water system.
As microbial geneticists, we conduct genetic screens, do transcriptomics, and generate gene deletions, over-expression strains, and reporter strains to identify and characterize the function of genes important for P. aeruginosa growth, survival, and/or pathogenesis. The end goal of our research is to identify metabolic or regulatory pathways important for infection that can be targeted to develop new anti-infectives or adjunctive therapies.
Some projects currently ongoing include:
- How does P. aeruginosa detect host sphingolipids?
- How are the sphingolipid-related virulence factors of P. aeruginosa regulated and what are their functions during infection?
- Can we inhibit P. aeruginosa detection or metabolism of sphingolipids as a potential therapeutic option?
- How does P. aeruginosa detect and interact with other opportunistic pathogens in the water system?
Areas of Expertise
Microbial genetics, Pseudomonas aeruginosa