A5023259876- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Caveolin-1 and cellular processes
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Signaling Pathways in Disease
- Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Research
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Escherichia coli research studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways
- Iron Metabolism and Disorders
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Skin and Cellular Biology Research
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Nuclear Structure and Function
Dartmouth College
2018-2024
Grove City College
2016-2020
Abstract The type VI secretion system (T6SS) of Gram-negative bacteria inhibits competitor cells through contact-dependent translocation toxic effector proteins. In Proteobacteria, the T6SS is anchored to cell envelope a megadalton-sized membrane complex (MC). However, genomes Bacteroidota with T6SSs appear lack genes encoding homologs canonical MC components. Here, we identify five in Bacteroides fragilis ( tssNQOPR ) that are essential for function and encode Bacteroidota-specific MC. We...
ABSTRACT Filopodia are actin-dependent finger-like structures that protrude from the plasma membrane. Actin filament barbed-end-binding proteins localized to filopodial tips key assembly. Two classes of formins and Ena/VASP proteins, both have been in specific cellular contexts. Here, we examine roles FMNL U2OS cells. FMNL3 suppression reduces assembly by 90%, is enriched at >95% tips. Suppression VASP or Mena (also known as ENAH) >75%. However, do not display consistent tip...
Actin-based tubular connections between cells have been observed in many cell types. Termed "tunneling nanotubes (TNTs)," "membrane nanotubes," "tumor microtubes (TMTs)," or "cytonemes," these protrusions interconnect dynamic networks. Structural features vary cellular systems, including tubule diameter and the presence of microtubules. We find protrusions, which we classify as TMTs, a pancreatic cancer line, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Pancreatic Cancer (DHPC)-018. TMTs are present DHPC-018-derived...
Antimicrobial-resistant infections contribute to millions of deaths worldwide every year. In particular, the group bacteria collectively known as ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter sp.) pathogens are considerable medical concern due their virulence exceptional ability develop antibiotic resistance. New kinds antimicrobial therapies urgently needed treat patients for whom existing...
Two c omponent s ystems (TCSs) are a primary mechanism of signal sensing and response in bacteria. Systematic characterization an entire TCS could provide mechanistic understanding these important transduction systems. Here, genetic selections were employed to dissect the molecular basis by HitRS system that detects cell envelope stress pathogen Bacillus anthracis . Numerous point mutations isolated within HitRS, 17 which 50-residue HAMP domain. Mutational analysis revealed importance...
Several Gram-positive pathogens scavenge host-derived heme to satisfy their nutritional iron requirement. However, is a toxic molecule capable of damaging the bacterial cell. within phylum Firmicutes overcome toxicity by sensing through HssRS, two-component system that regulates detoxification transporter HrtAB. Here we show HssRS and HrtAB occur in insect pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis. We find B. thuringiensis, directly an operon, hrmXY, encoding hypothetical membrane proteins are not...
Abstract Developing software tools that leverage biological datasets to accelerate drug discovery is an important aspect of bioinformatics research. Here we present a novel example: web application called Rocket-miR applies existing algorithm (IntaRNA) predict cross-species miRNA-mRNA interactions and identify human miRNAs with potential antimicrobial activity against antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. the logical extension our prior finding miRNA let-7b-5p impairs ability ubiquitous...
Abstract Actin-based tubular connections between cells have been observed in many cell types. Termed “tunneling nanotubes (TNTs)”, “membrane nanotubes”, “tumor microtubes (TMTs)”, or “cytonemes”, these protrusions interconnect dynamic networks. Structural features vary cellular systems, including tubule diameter and presence of microtubules. We find protrusions, which we classify as TMTs, a pancreatic cancer line, DHPC-018. TMTs are present DHPC-018-derived tumors mice, well mouse model...
Abstract Bacterial two c omponent s ystems (TCSs) have been studied for decades; however, most work has focused on individual domains or proteins. Systematic characterization of an entire TCS could provide a mechanistic understanding these important signal transduction systems. Here, genetic selections were employed to dissect the molecular basis by HitRS system that implicated in detecting cell envelope stress pathogen Bacillus anthracis . Numerous point mutations isolated within HitRS, 17...