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Research in my lab focuses on investigating the pathogenesis of group B streptococcal (GBS) disease. GBS is a major cause of neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia. This organism commonly colonizes the lower gastrointestinal tract and vaginal epithelium of healthy adults. Infants can acquire the organism in utero via an ascending infection or during passage through the birth canal.

Our three main areas of study are:

Evasion of host innate immunity
Expression of genes required for survival in the host
Role of maternal and neonatal GBS infection in prematurity

Research

Research in my lab focuses on investigating the pathogenesis of group B streptococcal (GBS) disease. GBS is a major cause of neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia. This organism commonly colonizes the lower gastrointestinal tract and vaginal epithelium of healthy adults. Infants can acquire the organism in utero via an ascending infection or during passage through the birth canal. Our three main areas of study are: Evasion of host innate immunity Expression of genes required for survival in the host Role of maternal and neonatal GBS infection in prematurity	Scanning electron micrograph of GBS being taken up by a human endometrial cell	Current Projects We are using molecular and biochemical approaches to characterize mechanisms used by GBS and other bacterial pathogens to avoid killing by host antimicrobial peptides. Microarray expression analysis is being used to define the host responses to GBS infection. In these studies, cultured placental and vaginal cell lines are used as a model for genitourinary colonization and infection with GBS.