M. Gabriela Bowden, Ph.D. 1999, The University of Texas-Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M University Institute of Biosciences and Technology Center for Extracellular Matrix Biology Contact Information

Research Interests:

• Bacterial adhesins and toxins
• Bacterial virulence
• Animal models
• Protein structure and ligand binding
• Protein-protein interactions

The research in my laboratory is focused on the study of bacterial adhesins and toxins that enhance the virulence of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. We employ biochemical and biophysical approaches to decipher protein-protein interactions that allow these bacteria to colonize and invade host tissues. I am also interested in the study of emerging, novel strains of S. aureus. These emerging strains affect otherwise healthy children and young adults, causing serious infections. We are currently investigating which virulence factors are expressed by these strains, allowing them to disseminate within our community.

Depending on the student's interests, a tutorial in my laboratory would provide experience with bacterial genetics, basic cloning methods, protein overexpression and purification, protein-ligand interaction techniques such as fluorescence energy transfer (FRET), Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), Fluorescence polarization, basic immunological techniques, and the development and analysis of mouse infection models.

Publications

Program Affiliation:

Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics