Center for Microbial Pathogenesis
The emphasis of the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis is to develop a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which microorganisms cause infectious diseases, as well as how the host responds to these disease states.
Despite recent progress in the worldwide management of childhood infectious diseases, including the development and licensure of several new safe and effective pediatric vaccines, infectious disease remains the leading cause of death globally and is the third leading cause of mortality in The United States. There is thus a burgeoning need, on a national and international level, to develop methods to combat endemic diseases for which there are no effective treatments or vaccines. It is also imperative to take on the challenges presented by new and re-emerging infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic pathogens.
The Abigail Wexner Research Institute is ranked among the top 10 for NIH funding among free-standing children's hospitals.
Our Goals
The goals of the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis are to identify virulence mechanisms and define host response patterns with the overall objective of elucidating a detailed description of the structure, function and control of biological systems in health and disease, utilizing molecular and cellular, as well as genomic and proteomic approaches. Knowledge generated from these studies and similar lines of investigation will enable CMP investigators to identify novel molecular targets that can be exploited for the conduct of translational research – the development of innovative approaches to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pediatric infectious and inflammatory diseases, as well as immunological disorders.
Areas of Focus
- Regulation and manipulation of immune responses at the oral mucosal barrier, chronic granulomatous disease (Bagaitkar Lab)
- Multi-directional interactions between gut microbes, immune and nervous systems (Bailey Lab)
- Development of novel vaccine and therapeutic approaches that target the biofilms of chronic polymicrobial respiratory tract infections (otitis media, exacerbations of COPD) (Bakaletz Lab)
- Host-pathogen interactions as they relate to the pathogenic Neisseriaceae (Edwards Lab)
- Developing technologies to ‘build’ healthy biofilms (probiotics) and conversely, disrupt pathogenic biofilms (chronic infections) (Goodman Lab)
- Streptococcal interactions with host glycans and their effect on colonization and disease (King Lab)
- Study of the mechanisms by which macrophages fail to control infection and inflammation in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) (Kopp Lab)
- Nutritional and innate immune influences on bacterial pathogenesis (Mason Lab)
- Host-pathogen interactions in Staphylococcus aureus infection (Montgomery Lab)
- Mechanisms of recruitment and activation of phagocytic cell during infection or inflammation (Partida-Sanchez Lab)
Active Funding as Principal or Co-Principal Investigator
|
Faculty Member |
Funding Institute |
Role |
Title |
Dates |
Total Project Costs |
| Bagaitkar |
NIH/NIDCR |
PI | Redox regulation of gingival inflammation |
12.9.19 – 11.30.24 |
$1,338,063 |
| NIH/NIDCR |
Co-PI |
A T.fosythia-derived protease inhibitor in periodontal health and disease |
7.12.21 – 6.30.26 |
$546,911 |
|
|
Bailey |
NIH/NIA |
Co-PI |
Age-related dysbiosis and physical resilience |
9.1.20 – 8.31.22 |
$575,008 |
|
|
NIH/NIGMS |
Co-PI |
Tunable native probiotic formulations for the treatment of NEC |
4.1.17 – 3.31.23 |
$1,770,226 |
| NIH/NIGMS |
Co-PI |
A novel probiotic platform to treat necrotizing enterocolitis |
8.1.17 – 7.31.22 | $2,615,734 |
|
|
Bakaletz |
NIH/NIDCD |
PI |
Determinants of H. influenzae virulence in otitis media |
9.30.99 – 3.31.26 |
$12,868,086 |
|
|
NIH/NIDCD |
Co-PI |
Novel immunotherapeutics for the management of otitis media due to H. influenzae |
7.20.11 – 8.31.22 |
$5,391,631 |
|
Edwards |
NIH/NIAID |
Co-PI |
Novel carbohydrate binding functions of the CR3 I-domain modulate gonococcal- cervical cell interactions |
01.16.18 - 12.31.22 |
$2,213,578 |
| NIH/NIAID |
Co-PI |
Acquisition of gonococcal denitrification apparatus in the Neisseria meningitidis urethritis clade |
7.12.21 – 06.30.23 |
$442,510 |
|
|
Goodman |
NIH/NIAID |
PI |
HMGB1-mediated host response to chronic bacterial infection |
9.22.20 – 8.31.25 |
$3,555,739 |
|
|
NIH/NIGMS |
Co-PI |
A novel probiotic platform to treat necrotizing enterocolitis |
8.1.17 – 7.31.22 |
$2,615,734 |
|
|
NIH/NIGMS |
Co-PI |
Tunable native probiotic formulations for the treatment of NEC |
4.1.17 - 3.31.23 |
$1,770,226 |
|
|
NIH/NIDCD |
Co-PI |
Novel immunotherapeutics for the management of otitis media due to H. influenzae |
7.20.11 - 8.31.22 |
$5,391,631 |
|
Gunn |
NIH/NIAID |
PI |
Regulation and role of Salmonella curli during chronic infection |
7.17.20 – 6.30.22 |
$423,500 |
|
|
NIH/NIAID |
Co-PI |
Mechanisms of the development and maintenance of Salmonella gallbladder carriage |
6.1.15 – 4.30.26 |
$6,043,779 |
| NIH/NIAID |
PI |
Salmonella chronic infection: Biofilm matrix factors and innate immune tolerance |
12.17.20 – 11.30.22 |
$423,500 |
|
| NIH/NIAID |
Co-PI |
Epidemiology and genomics of multidrug resistant Salmonella Typhi infections in Kenya: the role of carriage in an endemic setting |
2.15.13 – 3.31.25 |
$1,209,668 |
|
|
King |
AHA |
PI |
Streptococcus oralis strains lacking serine-rich repeat proteins bind the same platelet carbohydrates via novel adhesins |
7.1.19 – 6.30.22 |
$300,000 |
|
Kopp |
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation |
PI |
Impact of secondhand vape exposure upon CFTR and infection |
1.1.21 – 12.31.22 |
$125,000 |
|
|
NIH/NHLBI |
PI |
The role of CFTR during macrophage-mediated killing of bacteria |
4.1.20 – 3.31.25 |
$1,906,647 |
|
|
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation |
PI |
The role of ENaC in cystic fibrosis macrophage function |
11.1.20 – 10.31.22 |
$112,000 |
|
Mason |
NIH/NIAID |
Co-PI |
Tryptophan metabolism in Haemophilus persistence and formation of intracellular communities |
5.20.21 - 4.30.23 |
$423,500 |
|
|
NIH/NIAID |
PI |
A novel multifunctional role of diverse substrate binding and import by the Haemophilus Sap transporter |
3.1.19 – 2.29.24 |
$2,292,299 |
|
Montgomery |
NIH/NIAID |
PI |
Overcoming pathogen-mediated immune evasion: a translational approach to pediatric Staphylococcus aureus vaccine development |
8.7.18-7.31.21 |
$1,520,000 |
|
Yu |
NIH/NIAMS |
PI |
Complement in Human Lupus: Deficiencies, Profiles and Complications |
7.8.18 – 5.31.23 |
$2,091,624 |
