Regulation of bacterial cell envelope biosynthesis Dr. Kate Hummels Department of Microbiology University of Georgia Hummels Lab Friday, August 25, 2023 - 1:00pm S175, Coverdell Building Type of Event: Department Seminars Keynote Speaker for the MIBO/ILS Welcome Retreat. Abstract: Gram negative bacteria are characterized by a multi-layered cell envelope with an inner membrane made up of phospholipids, a cell wall composed of peptidoglycan, and an asymmetric outer membrane with phospholipids in the inner leaflet and lipopolysaccharide in the outer leaflet. Although the metabolic pathways responsible for building the cell envelope are well characterized, little is known about how these pathways are coordinated to ensure uniform cell envelope expansion. Work in my lab is aimed to understanding how gram-negative bacteria regulate cell envelope biosynthesis to promote balanced growth, with a focus on the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using a combination of bacterial genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology, we seek to identify and characterize novel factors involved in cell envelope biosynthesis with the hope of discovering new targets for antimicrobial development while answering basic questions in bacterial physiology. Read more about Regulation of bacterial cell envelope biosynthesis
Chelsey VanDrisse Adjunct Assistant Professor Education: Ph.D (2018) University of Georgia Research Research Interests: Molecular Genetics Research Interests: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of chronic infections due to its ability to form robust, antibiotic tolerant biofilms. It is therefore imperative to better understand bacterial physiology in order to discover new ways to dismantle biofilms and clear infections. Some questions we seek to answer include: 1. What is the chemical environment of chronic wounds and how does nutrient availability influence biofilm formation? 2. What are the regulatory requirements for biofilm formation and dispersal (with a focus on the process of acetylation) and 3. How can we take advantage the information we learn in our research to develop novel drugs for chronic infections? Labs: VanDrisse Lab Selected Publications Selected Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/chelsey.vandrisse.1/bibliography/public/ Read more about Chelsey VanDrisse
Uncovering microbial activities and characteristics underlying cockroach gut microbiome function and homeostasis Helen Dukes Ottesen Laboratory UGA Department of Microbiology Wednesday, July 12, 2023 - 10:00am 404D, Biological Sciences Type of Event: Student Seminars Dissertation Defense Seminar by Helen Dukes, Ottesen Lab. Read more about Uncovering microbial activities and characteristics underlying cockroach gut microbiome function and homeostasis
Kate Hummels Assistant Professor The bacterial cell envelope is critically relevant to human health. Not only is the cell envelope the interface used by bacteria to interact with their environment (such as the human host), but it also remains one of our best targets for antibiotics. While the biosynthetic enzymes responsible for building the cell envelope have been well characterized, we know very little about the factors involved in controlling cell envelope production and homeostasis. In the Hummels lab, we use a combination of genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology to investigate the regulation of cell envelope biosynthesis and maintenance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is infamous for antibiotic resistance. By better understanding the players involved in these essential processes, we hope to identify new targets for therapeutic development. Coordination of outer membrane and cell wall biosynthesis. Gram-negative bacteria, such as P. aeruginosa, are characterized by a multi-layered cell envelope consisting of an inner membrane, a cell wall made up of peptidoglycan (PG), and an asymmetric outer membrane with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) comprising the outer leaflet. Both the LPS and PG biosynthetic pathways utilize the essential cell envelope precursor UDP-GlcNAc, but how it is appropriately partitioned to support optimal cell envelope expansion is poorly understood. A major focus in the Hummels lab is to investigate the regulatory strategies involved in balancing use of UDP-GlcNAc between the competing but essential LPS and PG metabolic pathways Education: B.S. Microbiology, 2013, University of IowaPh.D. Microbiology, 2019, Indiana UniversityPostdoctoral Fellow, 2019-2023, Harvard Medical School Research Research Areas: Microbial Physiology Molecular Microbiology Labs: Hummels Lab Selected Publications Selected Publications: See our papers on PubMed here! Read more about Kate Hummels
Biology Education Researcher Candidate Seminar Innovating Graduate and Undergraduate Education Dr. Qi Cui UC San Diego Thursday, April 13, 2023 - 11:10am 404D Biological Sciences Building Type of Event: Department Seminars Dr. Qi Cui is a candidate for the Biology Education Researcher position in the Department of Microbiology. This seminar highlights aspects of research they would bring to the university as well as the benefits that would come to other departments the position is associated with. Abstract or other information: Cui Abstract (208.39 KB) Read more about Biology Education Researcher Candidate Seminar
Biology Education Researcher Candidate Seminar The role of education data science in crafting a more welcoming and inclusive academy Dr. Robert Erdmann University of Minnesota-Rochester Tuesday, April 11, 2023 - 1:00pm 404D Biological Sciences Building Type of Event: Department Seminars Dr. Robert Erdmann is a candidate for the Biology Education Researcher position in the Department of Microbiology. This seminar highlights aspects of research they would bring to the university as well as the benefits that would come to other departments the position is associated with. Abstract or other information: Erdmann Abstract (192.14 KB) Read more about Biology Education Researcher Candidate Seminar
Kevin Riedmuller Receives NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship The Microbiology Department is pleased to announce that Kevin Riedmuller has been selected to receive the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. The National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing a research-based masters or doctoral degree. Read more about Kevin Riedmuller Receives NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship
2022-23 OTA Award Winners The Microbiology Department is proud to announce that Chantel Duscent and Chris Moxley have been chosen as 2022-23 OTA recipients. The Center for Teaching and Learning administers the Outstanding Teaching Assistant (OTA) award, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Instruction. This award recognizes teaching assistants who demonstrate superior teaching skills while serving in the classroom or laboratory. Congratulations Chanty and Chris! Read more about 2022-23 OTA Award Winners
