Section: Rotations

Brian Akerley, Ph.D.

Academic Role: Assistant Professor

Faculty Appointment(s) In:
   Molecular Genetics and Microbiology

Rotations

H. influenzae and other bacterial pathogens encounter and respond to diverse microenvironments within their hosts. H. influenzae is highly adapted to the human respiratory tract and and can persist despite active immune responses against its surface constituents. We have found virulence genes of H. influenzae that are subject to modulation in response to environmental conditions, providing potential mechanisms for avoiding host defenses and optimizing colonization. Rotation projects utilize genetic methodologies we have devised in the lab or adapted for use in H. influenzae to analyze bacterial signal transduction and physiological adaptations important during infection of model hosts. Another area of interest is the application of genome-scale technology and conceptual frameworks developed in our studies of H. influenzae to other pathogens.  Students will receive training in bacterial genetics and pathogenesis in addition to an introduction to genome-scale approaches of molecular biology.

Phone: 508-856-1442
E-mail: Brian.Akerley@umassmed.edu
Keywords: Genetic Systems, Infectious Disease, Microbial Pathogenesis

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