Ferric C. Fang, M.D.
Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology

CONTACT INFORMATION
Box 357242,
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington 98195
Phone: (206) 221-6770
Fax: (206) 616-1575
fcfang@u.washington.edu 


LINK TO FERRIC FANG'S COMMUNITY OF SCIENCE WEB PAGE

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

Our laboratory integrates molecular genetics with immunology, biochemistry, and cell biology to study bacterial pathogenesis, focusing on innate immunity and macrophage-Salmonella interactions. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide by phagocytic cells has long been recognized to be an important component of host defense. Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) such as nitric oxide and S-nitrosothiols have more recently been demonstrated to be important phagocyte-derived molecules that also possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. We are attempting to determine the molecular mechanisms of ROS/RNS-related cytotoxicity and relevant cytoprotective mechanisms. In vitro observations are correlated with studies of bacterial virulence in macrophages and normal or immunodeficient mice to establish their relevance to the pathogenesis of infection. Specific projects examine the interrelationship between nitric oxide and iron metabolism, the role of alternative sigma factors in controlling antioxidant stress responses, the regulation of host responses to infection, and the mechanisms by which reactive nitrogen and oxygen species impair microbial DNA replication.