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CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS
Research in this laboratory focuses on Chlamydia trachomatis pathogenesis and intervention in chlamydial infections. Specific research projects include the following:
(1) In vitro sensitivity of C. trachomatis to currently available microbicidal compounds and novel naturally occurring antimicrobials. The goal is to identify microbicides that prevent infection by C. trachomatis when applied vaginally. Detergents, various peptides, and novel lipids from human milk are currently being tested alone and in combination for their action against C. trachomatis. These studies are being conducted with researchers at the UW, the University of Pittsburgh and the NYS Institute for Basic Research.
(2) Immunologic and functional analysis of the C. trachomatis polymorphic membrane protein PmpD. This gene is a member of a family of polymorphic membrane protein genes, a surprising finding in the small genome of this obligate intracellular bacterium. We cloned the pmpD gene, determined its sequence, analyzed its time of expression, and determined its location in the outer membrane of C. trachomatis. Future projects include further studies using anti-PmpD antibodies to examine its location in C. trachomatis and infected cells, testing whether the antibodies block chlamydial infectivity, and examining the function of the protein in the C. trachomatis life cycle.
Other projects include identification of eukaryotic receptors involved in C. trachomatis attachment, development of a chlamydial plasmid transformation system, and identification of additional C. trachomatis virulence factors.
PUBLICATIONS
Xia M, Bumgarner RE, Lampe MF, Stamm WE. Chlamydia trachomatis infection alters host cell transcription in diverse cellular functions. J Infect Dis 187:424-34, 2003.
Ballweber LM, Jaynes JE, Stamm WE, Lampe MF. In vitro microbicidal activity of cecropin peptides D2A21 and D4E1 and gel formulations containing 0.1 to 2% D2A21 against Chlamydia trachomatis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 46:34-41, 2002.
Fling SP, Sutherland RA, Steele LN, Hess B, D'Orazio SEF, Maisonneuve J-F, Lampe
MF, Probst P, Starnbach MN. CD8+ T cells recognize a novel inclusion membrane associated protein from the vacuolar pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. PNAS USA 98:1160-5, 2001.
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