My lab studies Gram-negative bacteria. We focus is on understanding the role of the outer membrane lipid bilayer in promoting antibiotic resistance and disease pathogenesis. Our attention centers on defining key proteins, lipids, and mechanisms for Salmonella enterica serovars like S. Typhimurium, S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi. These pathogens which cause gastroenteritis and systemic disease in humans and regulate the the phospholipid and glycolipid (lipopolysaccharides, or LPS) components of the outer membrane unto survive in the mammalian host environment. We are interested defining mechanisms of salmonellae LPS and phospholipid regulation and determining the regulated lipid changes that influence host innate-immune response to salmonellae.
