Research
Our long-term research goal is to study the molecular mechanisms of how enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) causes disease. We currently have two main projects underway. The first area of study concerns the regulation of EPEC virulence factors by a novel protein called Ler. Funding for this project comes from a three-year NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (Grant # 2R15AI47802-03; 2008-2011).
 EPEC forming attaching and effacing lesions on epithelial cells in culture. Photo courtesy of Stuart Knutton, Imperial College, London |
 Model for Action of Ler at LEE promoters. Figure from Haack et al. (2003) Infection and Immunity 71: 384-392. Arrow notes direction of transcription. |
A second project involves using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a small animal model of infection for pathogenic strains of E. coli. This project was initially funded by a two-year grant from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DAAD19-03-1-005; 2003-2005).
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Caenorhabditis elegans. Photo courtesy of Greg Hermann, Lewis and Clark College |
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Fluorescent microscopy images of GFP-labeled EPEC pathogens after 24 hours post-infection of C. elegans: E2348/69 (A, B); clinical isolate TB135A; and control MG1655 (E,F). Scale bar represents 100 µm. Images produced by Alex Barron (Reed '05). |
Lab Folks for Summer 2009
Summer Research: Jacob Connell,
Emily Lorenzen,
Rosie Pine
Research Associate: Chris Boniface
