Research Interests:
1. Control of Chlamydia growth and Development
Chlamydia is a Gram-negative bacterium that replicates strictly inside eukaryotic cells. It is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen and infectious cause of preventable blindness. Chlamydia has a unique developmental cycle consisting of an infectious but nondividing cellular form and a proliferative but noninfectious cellular form. We investigate the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying Chlamydia growth and development.
2. Development of Selective Antichlamydials
Broad-spectrum antibiotics that are used to treat Chlamydia infection also disrupt the beneficial microbiota. We attempt to develop selective antichlamydials without adverse effects on the microbiota and host cells. Selective antichlamydials may potentially be used not only as novel therapies for Chlamydia infection but also as preexposure prophylactics. Furthermore, they may also serve as valuable chemical probes for studying Chlamydia biology.
