January 10, 2022
Our long-term goal is to develop more effective approaches for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases caused by important foodborne bacterial pathogens. Over the past several years, we have revealed the first beta-lactam antibiotic receptor in Gram-negative bacteria that can trigger resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, elucidated how environmental factors influence bacterial pathogens’ virulence, identified novel mechanisms of histidine kinase activation and immune evasion by foodborne pathogens, and systematically elucidated the molecular interface between host and bacterial pathogens. We have three key research directions: Mechanism of antibiotic resistance and transmission; Molecular interface of environment-pathogen-host; Development of innovative approaches for treatment of infectious diseases.
Research projects:
1.Mechanisms and significance of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation in Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection (NIH R01, Role: PI, Duration: 08/2016-07/2021)
The goal of this project to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of bacterial effector-mediated intestinal cell proliferation and its significance in bacterial colonization and the development of diarrheal disease.
2.Mechanisms of Type III Secretion System 2 (T3SS2) assembly in Vibrio parahaemolyticus (NIH R01, Role: PI, Duration: 02/2017-01-2023)
The goal is to elucidate how effector protein contributes to the assembly of the apparatus of T3SS.
3.Nanoparticle-based delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 antimicrobials (USDA/NIFA, Role: PI, Duration: 10/2017-11/2021)
The goal of this project is to develop CRISPR/Cas9 system as next generation of antimicrobials
4.Signaling pathways of T3SS2 expression (USDA/NIFA, Role: PI, Duration: 11/2014-10/2019)
The goal of this project is to identify small molecules that can interfere the signaling pathways to reduce the virulence factor expression in Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
5.Effect of natural ingredients on the Toxin (Skretting Aquaculture Research Center, Role: PI, Duration: 08/2016-07/2018)
The goal of this project is to test the effect of natural ingredients on the Toxin.