Host-Pathogen Interactions

Host-pathogen interactions describe how bacteria, viruses and eukaryotic pathogens are able to replicate on or within the host using a variety of molecular, cellular, organismal, or population level methods. The interactions benefit the pathogen at the expense of the host, but this relationship is often complicated and multidimensional.

Highlight Research relating to the specific thematic area:

• Margie Lee's research on how Salmonella colonization of chickens can be limited by the use of other pioneering colonizing bacteria offers clues to help other animals and humans lower their exposure to Salmonella infections.
• Michael Klemba's lab discovered that blocking the metabolism of an essential lipid nutrient inhibits the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum's ability to grow in human serum.
• Kylene Kehn-Hall’s research focuses on the identification of critical host factors that are necessary for the replication and/or pathogenesis of emerging RNA viruses.