Postdoctoral Researcher
Gainesville, Florida, United States
Brief Description:Investigate production and novel release of Shiga toxin from a recently emerged, traditionally non-Shiga toxin producing Shigella flexneri clinical isolate. Elucidate mechanisms of Shigella antivirulence. Adaptation of genetic tools for DNA recombineering in Chlamydia trachomatis. (PI: Anthony Maurelli, PhD)Research Activities • Use genetic and biochemical approaches to investigate the regulation, production and release of Shiga toxin from recently emerged, historically non-Shiga toxin producing Shigella flexneri clinical isolates using traditional bacteriological and cell culture methods. o Standard bacteriological methods such as bacterial survival and growth curve assays.o Genetic tools such as plasmid-based cloning, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA mutagenesis, DNA recombineering, generalized transduction, transformation, RNA isolation and analysis.o Biochemical approaches using -galactosidase reporter assays and Western blot analysis.o Use of cell culture for in vivo analyses.• Elucidate mechanisms of Shigella anti-virulence using bacteriological and bioinformatic tools.o Screening and characterizing spontaneous mutants.o Next generation sequencing and analysis.o Use of bacteriological, genetic, biochemical, and cell culture tools previously described.• Adapt genetic tools for DNA recombineering in Chlamydia trachomatis using modified genetic and biochemical approaches, cell culture, and fluorescence microscopy.o Use of bacteriological, genetic, biochemical, and cell culture tools previously described.• Use software packages such as Clone Manager, Snap Gene, File Maker, Vision Works (UVP), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point) to maintain, analyze and present data.
