Confocal micrograph of E. coli-infected mouse bladder cells
© R. Welch

Bacterial Pathogenesis

Our mechanistic understanding of bacterial pathogenesis is fundamental to our ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent bacterial diseases. Moreover, as rapidly evolving populations of antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread worldwide, efforts made by our microbiologists to elucidate the genetic, molecular, and cellular elements responsible for a bacterium’s virulence become increasingly vital to our survival. Our faculty explore the mechanistic basis of pathogenesis for such prominent pathogens as enterohemorrhagic E. coli and uropathogenic E. coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Listeria monocytogenes. How these organisms colonize and invade host cells or tissues, cause damage to their hosts, and elude or alter host immune responses represent the primary themes under which more focused, innovative investigations are led by our bacterial pathogenesis faculty.

Investigators

Joseph (Joe) Dillard

Position title: Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology

Email: jpdillard@wisc.edu

Phone: Office: (608) 265-2837, Laboratory: 265-0489

Address:
4157 Microbial Sciences Building

Andrew Hryckowian

Position title: Assistant Professor of Medicine & Medical Microbiology & Immunology

Email: hryckowian@medicine.wisc.edu

Address:
3472 Microbial Sciences Building

Lindsay Kalan

Position title: Visiting Assistant Professor, Medical Microbiology & Immunology

Email: lkalan@wisc.edu

Phone: Office: (608) 262-6977, Laboratory: 262-6980

Mark Mandel

Position title: Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology

Email: mmandel@wisc.edu

Phone: Office: (608) 261-1170, Laboratory: (608) 261-1171

Address:
5155 Microbial Sciences Building

Caitlin Pepperell

Position title: Associate Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology & Immunology

Email: pepperell@wisc.edu

Phone: Office: (608) 262-5983, Laboratory: 262-6167

Address:
5301 Microbial Sciences Building

John-Demian (JD) Sauer

Position title: Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology

Email: sauer3@wisc.edu

Phone: Office: (608) 263-1529, Laboratory: 263-4230

Address:
4203 Microbial Sciences Building