Predatory-Prey Warfare: how to avoid becoming someone's dinner Tue, Nov 28 2017, 11am 404D Biological Sciences Bldg Teri de Kievit Associate Head Graduate Affairs, Department of Microbiology University of Manitoba Abstract or other information: de Kievit_Abstract.pdf (271.86 KB) Read more about Predatory-Prey Warfare: how to avoid becoming someone's dinner
Aspects of sulfur metabolism in the methane-producing archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis Aspects of sulfur metabolism in the methane-producing archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis Tue, Nov 21 2017, 9am Room 404A, Biological Sciences Building Whitman Lab Microbiology University of Georgia Read more about Aspects of sulfur metabolism in the methane-producing archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis
Constraining models to data: A practical approach for mastering self-organizing systems Fri, Nov 17 2017, 12:15pm Room 404A, Biological Sciences Building Shimkets Lab Microbiology University of Georgia Abstract or other information: Abstract.Chris Cotter.Fall 2017.pdf (22.44 KB) Read more about Constraining models to data: A practical approach for mastering self-organizing systems
Investigating breadth of the Rid protein superfamily Mon, Nov 20 2017, 3pm Room 404D, Biological Sciences Building Downs Laboratory Microbiology University of Georgia Read more about Investigating breadth of the Rid protein superfamily
Gene regulation by ArcA and PhoB in the light-organ symbiont Vibrio fischeri Gene regulation by ArcA and PhoB in the light-organ symbiont Vibrio fischeri Tue, Nov 14 2017, 11am Room 404D, Biological Sciences Building Stabb Lab Microbiology University of Georgia Read more about Gene regulation by ArcA and PhoB in the light-organ symbiont Vibrio fischeri
Exploring sources and metabolic consequences of 2-aminoacrylate stress in bacteria and yeast Tue, Nov 7 2017, 3:30pm 404D Biological Sciences Bldg Special Information: Downs Lab Downs Lab Microbiology University of Georgia Read more about Exploring sources and metabolic consequences of 2-aminoacrylate stress in bacteria and yeast
Microbiology Learning Spaces: The Gene Michaels room gets a fresh look. Learning may start in the classroom, but it doesn’t end there. The Gene Michaels room honors past Microbiology faculty member Dr. Gene Michaels who took exceptional interest in undergraduate instruction. The room was recently renovated and relocated to offer students a place for collaboration and study. As you can see, students are taking full advantage of this space on the third floor of the BioSciences Building. Read more about Microbiology Learning Spaces: The Gene Michaels room gets a fresh look.
Lin Lab There are at least 1.5 million fungal species on earth, but only a few fungi can cause systemic infections in humans and animals. Nonetheless, these few pathogenic fungi pose serious threat to public health. We primarily focus on two major fungal pathogens: Cryptococcus neoformans (top left image) and Aspergillus fumigatus (bottom left image). C. neoformans is the causative agent for cryptococcal meningitis, the most common fungal infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and the third most frequent neurological complication in AIDS patients. Cryptococcal meningitis causes hundreds of thousands of deaths annually and is responsible for 15% of deaths in AIDS patients. Aspergillus fumigatus can cause various diseases, varying from an allergic response, aspergillomas, to severe invasive aspergillosis in neutropenic patients. Lin lab members are interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms employed by these fungi that govern their virulence. In particular, we investigate the impact of fungal life cyle and morphological differentiation on pathogenicity. Lin Lab Alumni Bing Zhai (former graduate student, currently a postdoc at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City) Yunfang Meng (visiting MD/PhD student from Shanghai ChangZheng Hospital, currently a physician at Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University) Rachana Gyawali (former graduate student, currently a postdoc at Duke Medical Center, North Carolina) Linqi Wang (former postdoctoral fellow, currently a professor at Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences) Xinping Xu (former postdoctoral fellow, currently a professor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University) Xiuyun Tian (former postdoctoral fellow, currently a staff scientist at Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences) Nadia Chacko (former postdoctoral fellow, currently a research scientist at UC riverside) Lab site: Molecular Mycology (MoMy) at MBL Fungal Biology at UGA Read more about Lin Lab
Xiaorong Lin Gene E. Michaels Distinguished Professor in Medical Mycology Adjunct faculty of Plant Biology, Infectious Diseases Research in Lin laboratory focuses on medical mycology: We study the molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis and fungal development. We also investigate targeted drug delivery (DectiSomes) and antifungal vaccine development (mRNA vaccines). The long-term goal of our research is to seek better approaches for the management of fungal diseases and to advance our knowledge about fundamental eukaryotic microbiology. Please click "RESEARCH" below to learn more about our research projects. Positions: Highly motivated and qualified individuals with strong interests in genetics, fungal immunology, and fungal biology & pathogenesis are encouraged to send your request about potential positions in Lin lab to Xiaorong.Lin@uga.edu (postdoctoral fellow, graduate student, or undergraduate researcher positions). Prior experience in fungal biology is not required. Potential Graduate Students: For individuals interested in becoming a graduate student in Lin lab, please apply for graduate admission through either the Integrated Life Sciences/ILS umbrella program (https://ils.uga.edu/) or the Integrated Plant Sciences/IPS umbrella program (https://ips.uga.edu/). Education: Ph.D., Fungal Genetics and Molecular Biology (Plant Biology department), University of Georgia (2003) M.S., Chemical Engineering, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (1999) B.S., Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology (1996) Service: Associate Editor: PLoS Genetics; PLoS Pathogens; mBio Director (2015-2019): MBL summer course on Molecular Mycology: Current Approaches to Fungal Pathogenesis Member (2019-2026): Fungal Genetics Policy Steering Committee Honors: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) Fellow BWF Investigator in Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease, Burroughs Wellcome Fund ICAAC Young Investigator Award, American Society of Microbiology (ASM) Research Research Areas: Microbe-Host Interactions Molecular Microbiology Microbial Physiology Bioinformatics and -omics/Computational Biology Research Interests: Cryptococcus neoformans is the causative agent for cryptococcal meningitis. This disease is the most common fungal infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and the third most frequent neurological complication in AIDS patients. Cryptococcal meningitis claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually and is responsible for ~19% of deaths in AIDS patients. Human infection is acquired by inhalation of airborne cryptococcal cells from environment and asymptomatic carriage of this fungus is common in the human population. Infection is typically cleared or the fungus can stay dormant (latency). When the host immunity is compromised (due to HIV infection or organ transplant), dormant fungal cells can be reactivated and disseminate hematogenously to cause systemic infection, with a propensity to the CNS. (1) We are interested in cryptococcal life cycle and how it contributes to the progression of cryptococcal disease. (2) We are also interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying cryptococcal morphogenesis as morphotype is tightly linked to cryptococcal virulence. (3) We are interested in discovery molecular mechanisms underlying cryptococcal adaptation to host physiological conditions. (4) We are developing mRNA vaccines against cryptococcosis and other fungal diseases. (5) We are developing targeted antifungal drug delivery system (DectiSomes) to improve the efficacy of antifungal drug therapies. Student Awards Graduate student Benjamin Chadwick won Paper of the Year Award. UGA Plant Biology. 2022 Graduate student Amber Matha won Outstanding Teaching Assistant award. UGA Center for Teaching and Learning. 2024 Graduate student Nhu Pham won the 2024 ARCS Foundation Scholarship (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) https://arcsfoundation.org/ 2024 Graduate student Ran Shi won Dr. Juergen Wiegel Award. UGA Microbiology. https://mib.uga.edu/wiegel-award 2024 Lab Alumni Nathan Glueck (former postdoctoral fellow, currently an assistant professor at Mercer University, Georgia) Amber Matha (former PhD student, currently an assistant professor at Wilson College, Pennsylvania) Benjamin Chadwick (former PhD student, currently an assistant professor at University of Macau) Yumeng Fan (former PhD student, currently a postdoc at Chinese CDC) Fanglin Zheng (former postdoctoral fellow, currently a professor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University) Jianfeng Lin (former PhD student, currently a professor at West China Hospital/HuaXi Hospital) Kenton Hipsher (former MS student, currently a staff scientist at Zymergen) Bing Zhai (former PhD student, currently a professor at Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences) Rachana Gyawali (former PhD student, currently a senior scientist at Dept of Defense, Maryland) Linqi Wang (former postdoctoral fellow, currently a professor at Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences) Nadia Chacko (former postdoctoral fellow, currently a scientist at LifeMine Therapeutics, Massachusetts) Xiuyun Tian (former postdoctoral fellow, currently a staff scientist at Peking University Health Science Center) Xinping Xu (former postdoctoral fellow, currently a professor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University) Yunfang Meng (former visiting MD/PhD student, currently a physician at Jinan Hospital) Srijana Upadhyay (former research associate, currently a research scientist at Texas A&M Vet school) Of note: Lin lab, summer of 2018 Lin lab potluck 09/2018 Lin Lab, summer of 2022 Lin Lab, Fungal Genetics Conference, March 2022 Ben's Paper of the Year Award (PBIO)-Jan 2023 Lin lab, Fungal Genetics Conference at Asilomar. 2024 Lin Lab, Spring 2023 Lin lab, spring 2025 Courses Regularly Taught: MIBO 8150 MIBO 4700/6700 Read more about Xiaorong Lin
