Dr. Stacey Gilk's lab focuses on understanding how the bacterium Coxiella burnetii survives and thrives in acidic environments within infected human cells. This research is crucial for developing new treatments for Q fever, a disease caused by this pathogen, which can lead to severe health issues. By investigating the mechanisms that allow this bacteria to regulate its internal pH and survive under stress, the lab aims to identify potential new therapeutic targets for chronic infections.

Dr. Paul D. Fey's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which certain bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus species, adhere to human skin. Although some of these bacteria can cause infections, many also play beneficial roles by preventing other pathogens from colonizing the skin. The lab's research seeks to reveal how these bacteria interact with skin cells, which could lead to new treatments for infections.

Dr. Caroline L Ng's lab studies malaria, particularly the mechanisms behind resistance to artemisinin, a key treatment for this disease. They investigate how the proteasome, a protein degradation system, affects the survival of malaria parasites under drug pressure. By understanding these processes at a molecular level, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies to combat artemisinin-resistant malaria and improve treatment outcomes.

Dr. Tammy Kielian's lab focuses on understanding how immune cells, particularly T cells, interact with the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus during infections that can occur after brain surgeries like craniotomies. The lab investigates how these immune responses can both help and hinder the body's ability to eliminate biofilms formed by this bacteria, aiming to improve treatments for infections that can lead to serious complications.

Dr. Rey A Carabeo's lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center studies the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which causes infections and relies on host cells for nutrients. The lab focuses on understanding how this pathogen regulates its metabolic processes, specifically the tryptophan biosynthesis pathway, to survive in different environments. They investigate gene expression regulation, aiming to uncover new insights into the bacterial adaptation mechanisms in response to nutrient availability.