The major emphasis of the laboratory is the study of fimbrial adhesins of E. coli associated with human disease. The laboratory focuses on a family of E. coli fimbriae, the Dr adhesins, which can simultaneously bind to multiple receptors on human cells and tissues. These receptors include complement regulatory proteins, cell adhesion molecules, and collagen. We are interested in the nature of adhesin-receptor interactions, and how those interactions trigger cellular responses contributing to disease. Our investigations combine genetic, evolutionary, biochemical, and structural approaches to these questions.
