Our
laboratory interest is in
bacterial pathogenesis and the innate immune system, with a special
focus on human streptococcal and staphylococcal infections. Using a
molecular genetic approach, we seek to discover and characterize
bacterial virulence determinants involved in cytotoxicity, adherence,
invasion, inflammation, molecular mimicry and resistance to immunologic
clearance. We also investigate the contribution of host factors such as
antimicrobial peptides, leukocyte surface receptors, signal
transduction pathways, and transcription factors in defense against
invasive bacterial infection. Novel treatment strategies for infectious
diseases are sought from natural product libraries, targeted
neutralization of bacterial virulence phenotypes, and pharmacologic
augmentation of host phagocyte function. Please
select from the links
below to learn more about some of our
major lines of investigation:
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