Kah&Mac lab: Difference between revisions
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH; Brook, 2012; Emerson et al., 2010; Metan et al., 2006). Currently, there are critical knowledge gaps with respect to how ''S. maltophilia'' avoids clearance by humoral and cellular components of the immune system and how biofilm communities are established ''in vivo''. We are using a variety of forward genetic screens to identify bacterial factors involved in colonization of biotic and abiotic surfaces, host cell toxicity, and immune evasion.<br> | mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH; Brook, 2012; Emerson et al., 2010; Metan et al., 2006). Currently, there are critical knowledge gaps with respect to how ''S. maltophilia'' avoids clearance by humoral and cellular components of the immune system and how biofilm communities are established ''in vivo''. We are using a variety of forward genetic screens to identify bacterial factors involved in colonization of biotic and abiotic surfaces, host cell toxicity, and immune evasion.<br> | ||
====Virulence Priming | ====Virulence Priming in Opportunistic Pathogens==== | ||
As environmentally resident opportunistic pathogens transverse ecological, spacial, and temporal barriers prior to inoculation into a human host, they encounter myriad physiologic stressors. We are attempting to understand both how these organisms survive these stresses and how these stresses may enhance or modify the physiologic state of the organism-ultimately leading to a more infectious or virulent phenotype. Currently, our work in this area focuses on ''S. maltophilia'' and ''Listeria monocytogenes'', two clinically important environmentally resident opportunistic pathogens.<br> | As environmentally resident opportunistic pathogens transverse ecological, spacial, and temporal barriers prior to inoculation into a human host, they encounter myriad physiologic stressors. We are attempting to understand both how these organisms survive these stresses and how these stresses may enhance or modify the physiologic state of the organism-ultimately leading to a more infectious or virulent phenotype. Currently, our work in this area focuses on ''S. maltophilia'' and ''Listeria monocytogenes'', two clinically important environmentally resident opportunistic pathogens.<br> | ||
Revision as of 08:21, 30 April 2014
Welcome to the Fisher Lab WikiWe combine a diverse suite of genetic, biochemical, molecular, and genomic approaches with a variety of high-throughput host systems to address fundamental questions concerning how soil bacteria impact human health and agriculture. Colonization and Innate Immune Evasion by the Emerging Opportunistic Pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophiliaS. maltophilia is an emerging, multi-drug-resistant (MDR), opportunistic pathogen that frequently colonizes ventilator tubes and indwelling medical devices where it forms biofilms. Initial colonization can lead to severe, life-threatening infection and recent studies show that both incidence and prevalence are increasing, especially in immunocompromised, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cancer patients—demographic groups key to the research
mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH; Brook, 2012; Emerson et al., 2010; Metan et al., 2006). Currently, there are critical knowledge gaps with respect to how S. maltophilia avoids clearance by humoral and cellular components of the immune system and how biofilm communities are established in vivo. We are using a variety of forward genetic screens to identify bacterial factors involved in colonization of biotic and abiotic surfaces, host cell toxicity, and immune evasion. Virulence Priming in Opportunistic PathogensAs environmentally resident opportunistic pathogens transverse ecological, spacial, and temporal barriers prior to inoculation into a human host, they encounter myriad physiologic stressors. We are attempting to understand both how these organisms survive these stresses and how these stresses may enhance or modify the physiologic state of the organism-ultimately leading to a more infectious or virulent phenotype. Currently, our work in this area focuses on S. maltophilia and Listeria monocytogenes, two clinically important environmentally resident opportunistic pathogens. Invertebrate Assays of Bacterial VirulenceJoin UsWe are always interested in motivated students, please submit inquiries via the contact tab. |
