Our Research Projects

The infrastructure for sRNA-mediated gene regulation in S. pneumoniae

In Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella species, much is known about the proteins involved in sRNA-mediated gene regulation including chaperones involved in protecting sRNAs from RNases and facilitating sRNA-mRNA annealing and RNases carrying out the decay of sRNAs and their target mRNAs. Nearly all of these proteins are absent from the genome of the many Gram-positive bacteria including S. pneumoniae. What are the proteins that carry out these functions and how do these factors do it? Using bioinformatic and genetic approaches, we are identifying these players, and utilizing genetic, molecular, and biochemical methods, we are elucidating their roles in sRNA-mediated gene regulation.

The contribution of sRNAs to S. pneumoniae host colonization, dissemination, and transmission.

More than 100 sRNAs have been identified in S. pneumoniae by us and other research groups, yet almost nothing is known with regards to the role of these sRNAs in the regulation of S. pneumoniae virulence determinants. Our research is focused on elucidating the contribution of distinct sRNAs to specific aspects of S. pneumoniae pathogenesis using high throughput RNA sequencing, genetic, molecular, and biochemical based approaches.

Mapping T. pallidum subsp. pallidum dissemination within its host

The extent to which T. pallidum colonizes various tissues during different stages of syphilis is not understood. We are working on determining where T. pallidum resides during the different stages of a syphilitic infection.

Identifying and establishing the function of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum fitness and virulence factors

The proteins required for the ability of T. pallidum to infect its host and colonize and thrive in distinct tissues remains largely unknown. We are interested in discovering and elucidating the function of these fitness and virulence factors.