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MHD Training Grant

 

 

Faculty Trainers

Bacteria | Fungi | Parasites | Viruses | Symbiosis | Host Response | Translational Research

 

Bacteria | Back to Top

  Name Department Research Interests Phone Email Address
Helen Blackwell, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Chemistry We are applying small molecule tools to probe the mechanisms of bacterial communication (or quorum sensing) and host/microbe interactions. The ability of bacteria to communicate with each other and function as a group is a critical step in the development of infectious disease. We seek to understand how both plants and animals sense and respond to invasion by pathogenic microbes, and in turn, to colonization by symbionts. (608) 262-1503

Chuck Czuprynski, Ph.D. Professor of Pathobiological Sciences and Director of the Food Research Institute The primary interest of our laboratory is studying mechanisms of perturbation of the immune system by microbes and environmental and microbial toxins. We are also interested in the pathogenesis of foodborne diseases: what allows contamination and growth of pathogens in food, the mechanisms they use to cause disease, and the host response against them. (608) 262-8102
Joseph Dillard, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunoloty The molecular mechanisms of disease caused by the bacterial species Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis, focusing on the release of proinflammatory or immunomodulatory peptidoglycan fragments and the secretion of DNA and proteins by the type IV secretion system (608) 265-2837
Katrina Forest, Ph.D. Professor of Bacteriology The structural aspects of microbial interactions, using x-ray crystallography and complementary techniques. Our focus is the structure and assembly of Type IV pili, surface organelles that mediate attachment of bacteria to one another, to abiotic surfaces, and to eukaryotic cells (608) 265-3566
Heidi Goodrich-Blair, Ph.D. Professor of Bacteriology Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms of host interactions of a gamma - proteobacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila, a mutually beneficial symbiont of Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes and a pathogen of insects (608) 265-4537
Caitlin Pepperell Assistant Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases (608) 262-5983
Ned Ruby, Ph.D. Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology To define the bacterial basis for biochemical and molecular events that characterize colonization of animal epithelial tissue. To accomplish this goal we have chosen as a model system the symbiotic infection of the light organ of the squid Euprymna scolopes by the luminous bacterium Vibrio fischeri. (608) 262-5911
Garret Suen, Ph.D. AssistantProfessor of Bacteriology Our lab Uses ruminants as a model system for understanding how host microbiome influences overall host animal health. In particular we are
interested in how the ruminal microbiome is established during calf development and how it influences lactation and milk production during
and after cow gestation.		 (608) 890-3971
Michael Thomas, Ph.D. AssociateProfessor of Bacteriology and Alfred Toepfer Faculty Fellow Discover, decipher, and harness bacterial secondary metabolism (608) 263-9075
Rodney Welch, Ph.D. Professor and Chair of Medical Microbiology and Immunology Microbiology - Bacterial pathogenesis; molecular genetics; protein secretion; and structure/function of bacterial toxins. (608) 263-2700
Ellen Wald, M.D. Professor and Chair of Pediatrics Infections of the upper respiratory tract in children, bacterial-viral interactions and the nasopharyngeal microbiome (608) 263-0946

 

Fungi | Back to Top

  Name Department Research Interests Phone Email Address
David Andes, MD Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Immunology The overriding themes of our research programs are [1] to advance our understanding of antibacterial and antifungal activity and drug resistance, and [2] to identify new antimicrobial drug treatment strategies and drug targets. (608) 263-1545
Cameron Currie, Ph.D. Professor of Bacteriology Our research focuses on the ecology and evolution of symbiotic associations between animals and microbes. (608) 265-8034

Christina Hull, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Chemistry and Medical Microbiology and Immunology We are working to understand the regulatory mechanisms controlling sexual development, spore biogenesis, germination, and pathogenesis in human fungal pathogens. We study these processes using Cryptococcus neoformans, an environmental fungus that causes a fatal form of meningitis in humans. (608) 262-5441

Nancy Keller, Ph.D. Professor of Bacteriology and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Molecular genetics of fungal development, toxin formation and host/microbe interactions. Elucidation of host/fungal crosstalk. (608) 262-9795
Bruce Klein, MD Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Molecular medical mycology -- cellular and molecular basis of immunity and inflammation in response to fungi; genetics of virulence; molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis; anti-fungal drug discovery (608) 263-9217
Caitlin Pepperell Assistant Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases (608) 262-5983

 

Parasites | Back to Top

  Name Department Research Interests Phone Email Address
Heidi Goodrich-Blair, Ph.D. Professor of Bacteriology Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms of host interactions of a gamma - proteobacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila, a mutually beneficial symbiont of Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes and a pathogen of insects (608) 265-4537
Matyas Sandor, Ph.D. Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Immune responses to infectious disease (608) 265-8715
Donna Paulnock, Ph.D. Professor Medical Microbiology and Immunology Immunology - Innate immune responses in infectious diseases; cellular and molecular analysis of macrophage and dendritic cell activation. Current work is focused on analysis of host innate immune responses to infection with African trypanosomes, the protozoan parasite causing African sleeping sickness (608) 263-5857

 

Viruses | Back to Top

  Name Department Research Interests Phone Email Address
Curtis Brandt, Ph.D. Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Opthalmology and Visual Sciences Virology - Pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus; virulence genes in herpetic eye disease and herpes encephalitis; antivirals; interactions between cytokines and herpes viruses, and gene delivery, gene therapy. (608) 262-8054
Tony Goldberg, Ph.D., DVM Professor of Epidemiology Ecology, epidemiology, and evolution of emerging infectious disease in people and animals (608) 262-8054
Eric Johannsen, M.D. Assistant Professor of Medicine The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear proteins in human disease and EBV biology. (608) 316-4423
Yoshihiro Kawaoka, Ph.D. Professor of Pathobiological Sciences Influenza virus - molecular mechanism of interspecies transmission of the virus leading to influenza pandemics in humans; molecular pathogenesis of influenza in poultry and mammals. Ebola virus - role of viral proteins in pathogenesis and viral replication.  
Shannon Kenney, M.D. Professor of Medicine, Oncology, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Understanding the molecular regulation and pathogenesis of the human herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (608) 265-0533
Andrew Mehle, PhD Assistant Professor and Medical Microbiology and Immunology The Mehle lab studies the replication machinery of bunyaviruses and influenza virus, so-called “cap snatching” viruses. Using biochemistry, molecular virology and genetics, we tease apart the function of the viral replication complex with an ultimate goal to stop infection by these medically relevant pathogens. (608) 263-1978
Robert Striker, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Immunology The Striker lab blends cellular and biochemical phenotypic assays for RNA viral polymorphisms for Hepatitis C Virus, Dengue Virus and related viruses with clinical database to understand how viral genetic variation can explain clinical outcomes and ultimately be used in clinical decision making. We are particularly interested in antiviral therapy, resistance and evolution. (608) 263-2994
Ellen Wald, M.D. Professor and Chair of Pediatrics Infections of the upper respiratory tract in children, bacterial-viral interactions and the nasopharyngeal microbiome (608) 263-0946

 

Symbiosis | Back to Top

  Name Department Research Interests Phone Email Address
Cameron Currie, Ph.D. Professor of Bacteriology Our research focuses on the ecology and evolution of symbiotic associations between animals and microbes. (608) 265-8034

Heidi Goodrich-Blair, Ph.D. Professor of Bacteriology Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms of host interactions of a gamma - proteobacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila, a mutually beneficial symbiont of Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes and a pathogen of insects (608) 265-4537
Margaret McFall-Ngai, Ph.D. Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology Symbiotic associations between animals and prokaryotes:
* Signaling between partners during establishment and maintenance of a symbiosis.
* The influence of bacteria on animal development.
* The evolution of animal-bacterial interactions. 		(608) 262-2393
Ned Ruby, Ph.D. Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology To define the bacterial basis for biochemical and molecular events that characterize colonization of animal epithelial tissue. To accomplish this goal we have chosen as a model system the symbiotic infection of the light organ of the squid Euprymna scolopes by the luminous bacterium Vibrio fischeri. (608) 262-5911
Garret Suen, Ph.D. AssistantProfessor of Bacteriology Our lab Uses ruminants as a model system for understanding how host microbiome influences overall host animal health. In particular we are
interested in how the ruminal microbiome is established during calf development and how it influences lactation and milk production during
and after cow gestation.		 (608) 890-3971

 

Host Response | Back to Top

  Name Department Research Interests Phone Email Address
Chuck Czuprynski, Ph.D. Professor of Pathobiological Sciences and Director of the Food Research Institute The primary interest of our laboratory is studying mechanisms of perturbation of the immune system by microbes and environmental and microbial toxins. We are also interested in the pathogenesis of foodborne diseases: what allows contamination and growth of pathogens in food, the mechanisms they use to cause disease, and the host response against them. (608) 262-8102
Jenny Gumperz, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology We are interested in how innate T cells glycoproteins regulate immune responses. Specifically, we are investigating how natural killer T cells contribute to immunological tolerance using models of graft-vs-host disease, and we are using viral infection models (including EBV and HIV) to investigate how they switch over to promote inflammatory responses (608) 263-6310
Anna Huttenlocher, M.D. Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Our focus is on understanding the innate immune response during host pathogen interactions. We are also interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate leukocyte motility and wound repair  
Shannon Kenney, M.D. Professor of Medicine, Oncology, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Understanding the molecular regulation and pathogenesis of the human herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (608) 265-0533
Bruce Klein, MD Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Molecular medical mycology -- cellular and molecular basis of immunity and inflammation in response to fungi; genetics of virulence; molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis; anti-fungal drug discovery (608) 263-9217
Margaret McFall-Ngai, Ph.D. Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology Symbiotic associations between animals and prokaryotes:
* Signaling between partners during establishment and maintenance of a symbiosis.
* The influence of bacteria on animal development.
* The evolution of animal-bacterial interactions. 		(608) 262-2393
Donna Paulnock, Ph.D. Professor Medical Microbiology and Immunology Immunology - Innate immune responses in infectious diseases; cellular and molecular analysis of macrophage and dendritic cell activation. Current work is focused on analysis of host innate immune responses to infection with African trypanosomes, the protozoan parasite causing African sleeping sickness (608) 263-5857
Matyas Sandor, Ph.D. Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Immune responses to infectious disease (608) 265-8715
Garret Suen, Ph.D. AssistantProfessor of Bacteriology Our lab Uses ruminants as a model system for understanding how host microbiome influences overall host animal health. In particular we are
interested in how the ruminal microbiome is established during calf development and how it influences lactation and milk production during
and after cow gestation.		 (608) 890-3971
M. Suresh, D.V.M., MVSc, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Pathobiological Sciences Molecular and cellular basis of T cell memory; CD8+ T cell responses in chronic viral infections (608) 265-9791

 

Translational Research | Back to Top

  Name Department Research Interests Phone Email Address
David Andes, MD Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Immunology The overriding themes of our research programs are [1] to advance our understanding of antibacterial and antifungal activity and drug resistance, and [2] to identify new antimicrobial drug treatment strategies and drug targets. (608) 263-1545
James Gern, MD Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Areas of interest include rhinovirus infections and asthma, and how environmental factors, including infections with respiratory viruses and interactions with bacteria, affect immune development in early childhood and the risk for developing allergies and asthma (608) 263-6201
Anna Huttenlocher, M.D. Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Our focus is on understanding the innate immune response during host pathogen interactions. We are also interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate leukocyte motility and wound repair  
Shannon Kenney, M.D. Professor of Medicine, Oncology, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Understanding the molecular regulation and pathogenesis of the human herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (608) 265-0533
Bruce Klein, MD Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology Molecular medical mycology -- cellular and molecular basis of immunity and inflammation in response to fungi; genetics of virulence; molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis; anti-fungal drug discovery (608) 263-9217
Robert Striker, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Immunology The Striker lab blends cellular and biochemical phenotypic assays for RNA viral polymorphisms for Hepatitis C Virus, Dengue Virus and related viruses with clinical database to understand how viral genetic variation can explain clinical outcomes and ultimately be used in clinical decision making. We are particularly interested in antiviral therapy, resistance and evolution. (608) 263-2994
Ellen Wald, M.D. Professor and Chair of Pediatrics Infections of the upper respiratory tract in children, bacterial-viral interactions and the nasopharyngeal microbiome (608) 263-0946

University of Wisconsin-Madison
1550 Linden Drive
Rm 1336 Dept of Medmicro
Madison, WI 53706-1521

Phone: (608) 890-2101
Fax: (608) 262-8418

Email: info@microbes.wisc.edu