Tag: Genetics, Genomics and Cell Biology of Infection

Numerous studies demonstrate that vector-borne pathogens influence host characteristics, resulting in altered host-vector interactions and enhanced transmission. We seek to determine the molecular mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon and use this knowledge to develop innovative control strategies using genetic and biochemical approaches. Current focuses are[...]

The Buchon lab focuses on the impact of pathogens and the microbiota on body homeostasis. We use systemic infection as a model for septicemia, and the gut response to infection as a model for mucosal immunity. Genomic and genetic approaches allow us to characterize new[...]

The Blissard lab addresses fundamental questions on the biology and pathology of virus-insect interactions. A primary focus is the study of viral envelope glycoproteins and their interactions with host insect cells and cell proteins during viral entry and egress. Another focus are is understanding the[...]

The Brito lab has published a paper in Nature in collaboration with the De Vlaminck Lab; “Highly multiplexed spatial mapping of microbial communities.” PAPER: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2983-4

I study how microbes in the human microbiome are transmitted among individuals, using a wide range of approached including shotgun metagenomics of microbiome communities, culture-based methods, and single-cell analyses. Another main focus is horizontal transmission of genes between members of the microbiome, specifically focusing on[...]

The August lab is interested in infection-based and environment signals that trigger inflammation. We are particularly interested in signals regulated by the Tec family kinases, and how they regulate activation of cells such as mast cells and T cells to drive their differentiation and production[...]

New paper out, produced with David Bucholz, Microbiolgy & Immunology, CVM. “Finding proteases that make cells go viral”, J Biol Chem. 2020 Aug. PAPER:     https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32817125/

The main focus of our research program is to elucidate key mechanistic components in enveloped viruses and their host cells that: 1) mediate viral entry into cells, 2) elicit cell immune responses, and 3) mediate viral egress from cells. These studies are leading to the[...]

My lab group studies insect-pathogen interactions, using opportunistic bacterial infection in the model host Drosophila. For instance, students may measure pathogen proliferation when the host is provided with diets that vary in quality. Specific methods include microbiology and molecular biology, as well as genetic manipulations[...]

The Dhondt lab has studied the bacterial disease mycoplasmal conjunctivitis since it emerged in birds around 1994. We currently study effects of coinfection by combining studies of Mycoplasmal gallisepticum, haemosporidian parasites and other pathogens in the same individual. Students participate in both field work (trapping,[...]