A5080495117- Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Marine Sponges and Natural Products
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- HIV/AIDS oral health manifestations
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Neonatal and Maternal Infections
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Marine and fisheries research
- Cancer Research and Treatments
- Escherichia coli research studies
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
Clemson University
2015-2024
New York State College of Veterinary Medicine
2012-2019
Cornell University
2011-2019
Nova Southeastern University
2006-2016
Southeastern University
2016
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
2013
Florida Atlantic University
2013
National Cancer Institute
2013
United Arab Emirates University
2013
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
2013
The oral microbiota associated with the initiation and progression of dental caries has yet to be fully characterized. Human Oral Microbe Identification Using Next-Generation Sequencing (HOMINGS) approach was used analyze microbiomes site-specific supragingival plaques from children different status. Fifty-five (2 7 years age) were assessed at baseline 12 months grouped as free (CF), active enamel lesions (CAE), dentin carious (CA). Plaque samples caries-free tooth surfaces (PF) (PE) (PD)...
Abstract Background The 16S rRNA gene is used extensively in bacterial phylogenetics, species delineation, and now widely microbiome studies. However, the suffers from intragenomic heterogeneity, reports of recombination an unreliable phylogenetic signal are accumulating. Here, we compare core phylogenies to constructed using concatenations estimate strength for gene, its hypervariable regions, all genes at intra- inter-genus levels. Specifically, perform four intra-genus analyses (...
Streptococcus mutans is widely recognized as one of the key etiological agents human dental caries. Despite its role in this important disease, our present knowledge gene content variability across species and relationship to adaptation minimal. Estimates demographic history are not available. In study, we generated genome sequences 57 S. isolates, well representative strains most closely related (S. ratti, macaccae, criceti), identify overall structure potential adaptive features...
The genus Streptococcus comprises important pathogens that have a severe impact on human health and are responsible for substantial economic losses to agriculture. Here, we utilize 46 genome sequences (44 species), including eight species sequenced here, provide the first genomic level insight into evolutionary history genetic basis underlying functional diversity of all major groups this genus. Gene gain/loss analysis revealed dynamic pattern evolution characterized by an initial period...
The ability of certain oral biofilm bacteria to moderate pH through arginine metabolism by the deiminase system (ADS) is a deterrent development dental caries. Here, we characterize novel Streptococcus strain, designated strain A12, isolated from supragingival plaque caries-free individual. A12 not only expressed ADS pathway at high levels under variety conditions but also effectively inhibited growth and two intercellular signaling pathways caries pathogen mutans. produced copious amounts...
The white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias ; Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) is one of the most publicly recognized marine animals. Here we report genome sequence and comparative evolutionary genomic analyses to chondrichthyans, whale (Elasmobranchii) elephant (Holocephali), as well various vertebrates. 4.63-Gbp contains 24,520 predicted genes, has a repeat content 58.5%. We provide evidence for history positive selection gene-content enrichments regarding important stability-related genes...
High coverage, whole genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing of 57 geographically- and genetically-diverse isolates Streptococcus mutans from individuals known dental caries status was recently completed. Of the sequenced strains, fifteen isolates, were selected based primarily on differences in gene content phenotypic characteristics to affect virulence compared with reference strain UA159. A high degree variability these properties observed between a broad spectrum sensitivities low pH, oxidative...
Early childhood caries (ECC), which can lead to rampant tooth-decay that is painful and costly treat, one of the most prevalent infectious diseases affecting children worldwide. Previous studies support interactions between Streptococcus mutans Candida albicans are associated with pathogenesis ECC. The presence enhances S. growth, fitness accumulation within biofilms in vitro, although molecular basis for these behaviors undefined. Using an established co-cultivation biofilm model RNA-Seq,...
The spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari), a large coral reef–associated batoid of conservation concern, is currently described as single, circumglobally distributed species. However, geographic differences in its morphology and parasite diversity have raised unconfirmed suspicions that A. narinari may constitute species complex. We used 1570 bp mitochondrial nuclear sequence data (cytochrome b, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, internal transcribed spacer 2) to assess the validity single...
The influence that bacterial adaptation (or niche partitioning) within species has on gene spillover and transmission among populations occupying different niches is not well understood. Streptococcus agalactiae an important pathogen a taxonomically diverse host range making it excellent model system to study these processes. Here, we analyze global set of 901 genome sequences from nine advance our understanding Bayesian clustering analysis delineated 12 major closely aligned with niches....
Early-childhood caries is one of the most prevalent diseases in children worldwide and, while preventable, remains a global public health concern. Untreated cavities are painful and expensive can lead to tooth loss lower quality life. Caries driven by acid production via microbial fermentation dietary carbohydrates, resulting enamel erosion. While well-studied disease, research has focused on bacterial impacts, even though fungi commensal organisms living within plaque biofilm. There very...
Abstract Effective spatial management of coral reefs including design marine protected areas requires an understanding interpopulation genetic connectivity. We assessed gene flow along 355 km the Florida reef system and between Belize in three commensal invertebrates occupying same host sponge ( Callyspongia vaginalis ) but displaying contrasting reproductive dispersal strategies: broadcast‐spawning brittle star Ophiothrix lineata two brooding amphipods Leucothoe kensleyi ashleyae. Multiple...
Caries lesions develop when acid production from bacterial metabolism of dietary carbohydrates outweighs the various mechanisms that promote pH homeostasis, including alkali production. Therapies provide arginine as a substrate for in supragingival oral biofilms have strong anticaries potential. The objective this study was to investigate metabolic profile site-specific plaque response use (Arg: 1.5% arginine, fluoride-free) or fluoride (F: 1,100 ppm F/NaF) toothpastes. Eighty-three adults...
Comparative genomic and/or transcriptomic analyses involving elasmobranchs remain limited, with genome level comparisons of the elasmobranch immune system to that higher vertebrates, non-existent. This paper reports a comparative RNA-seq analysis heart tissue from seven species, including four and three teleosts, focusing on immunity, but concomitantly seeking identify genetic similarities shared by two lamnid sharks single billfish in our study, which could be linked convergent evolution...
Arginine catabolism by the bacterial arginine deiminase system (ADS) has anticariogenic properties through production of ammonia, which modulates pH oral environment. Given potential protective capacity ADS pathway, exploitation ADS-competent microbes pre- or probiotic applications is a promising therapeutic target to prevent tooth decay. To date, most investigations in cavity and its relation caries have focused on indirect measures activity specific groups, yet pervasiveness rate...
Abstract Background Streptococcus canis is an important opportunistic pathogen of dogs and cats that can also infect a wide range additional mammals including cows where it cause mastitis. It emerging human pathogen. Results Here we provide characterization the first genome sequence for this species, strain FSL S3-227 (milk isolate from cow with intra-mammary infection). A diverse array putative virulence factors was encoded by S. genome. Approximately 75% these gene sequences were...
Streptococcus pyogenes, is an important human pathogen classified within the pyogenic group of streptococci, exclusively adapted to host. Our goal was employ a comparative evolutionary approach better understand genomic events concomitant with S. pyogenes adaptation. As part ascertaining these events, we sequenced genome one potential sister species, agricultural canis, and combined it in genomics reconciliation analysis two other closely related dysgalactiae equi, determine genes that were...
Abstract Background Streptococcus agalactiae is a major cause of bovine mastitis, which the dominant health disorder affecting milk production within dairy industry and responsible for substantial financial losses to worldwide. However, there considerable evidence host adaptation (ecotypes) S. , with both human sourced isolates showing high degree distinctiveness, suggesting differing ability mastitis. Here, we (i) generate RNAseq data from three (two putative adapted one human) (ii) compare...
Escherichia coli is an important cause of bovine mastitis and can both severe inflammation with a short-term transient infection, as well less severe, but more chronic infection persistence. E. highly diverse organism that has been classified into number different pathotypes or pathovars, mammary pathogenic (MPEC) proposed new such pathotype. The purpose this study was to use genome sequence data derived from persistent MPEC isolates (two each phenotype) construct genome-based phylogeny...