About

The goal of my laboratory鈥檚 research is to determine how Clostridioides difficile colonizes the mammalian intestine, regulates the production of virulence factors, and transmits between hosts. Our current focus is on the mechanisms employed by C. difficile to generate a phenotypically heterogeneous population that is better able to adapt to environmental stresses. We are particularly interested in the contributions of intracellular signaling molecules (c-di-GMP, c-di-AMP) and phase variation to phenotypic heterogeneity, and how these mechanisms influence C. difficile virulence and disease outcome. Through our research, trainees in the lab gain expertise in bacterial genetics, molecular biology, second messenger signaling, protein biochemistry, animal models of disease, and more.