Lauren O. Bakaletz, PhD

• Center for Microbial Pathogenesis
  Director
• The Research Institute
  Vice President
• Infectious Diseases Fellowship
  Faculty
• Primary Section
  Center for Microbial Pathogenesis

• College of Medicine Distinguished Professor, The Ohio State University, 2013 - Present
• Director, Executive Committee, International Society for Otitis Media (ISOM), 2012 - Present
• National Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Advisory Council, National Institutes of Health, 2010 - 2014
• Editorial Board, Infection and Immunity, 2008 - 2016
• Tillie E. Coleman Endowed Chair in Pediatric Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 2006 - Present

The Bakaletz Lab's research focus is attempting to understand the pathogenic mechanisms operational in the highly prevalent pediatric disease, otitis media (OM) (or middle ear infection). Specifically, we are interested in elucidating how upper respiratory tract viruses predispose the middle ear to invasion by any of the three predominant bacterial pathogens of OM (nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae). We are also interested in understanding how bacterial biofilms contribute to the recurrence and chronicity of OM, chronic rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, chronic cough and exacerbations of both COPD and CF. With this enhanced understanding, we then attempt to identify potential molecular targets for the design, development and pre-clinical testing of novel vaccine candidates or therapeutics using an animal model of viral-bacterial superinfection that closely mimics the polymicrobial nature of OM in children. Our long-term goal is to develop novel methods to more effectively treat or preferably, to prevent, otitis media and other respiratory tract infections where there is a biofilm component to the disease course.

Publications

2008 - Present The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Professor, Dept. of Otolaryngology

2007 - Present The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University, Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics

2007 - Present The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Vice President for Basic Science Research

2006 - 2007 Vice President for Basic Science Research, Columbus Children's Research Institute

2000 - 2007 Children's Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics

1998 - 2000 Children's Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Associate Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics

1993 - 1998 The Ohio State University, Associate Professor, Dept. of Otolaryngology

1985 - 1986 The Ohio State University, Post-doctoral Researcher, Dept. of Otolaryngology