University of Utah · BiologySalmonella Pathogenesis Lab
Kelly T Hughes · Salt Lake City, Utah
Research Focus
Dr. Kelly T. Hughes' lab at the University of Utah focuses on understanding how bacteria, particularly Salmonella, use specialized structures called injectisomes to infect host cells. By studying the intricate processes that allow these bacteria to deliver harmful proteins into cells, the lab aims to develop new ways to combat bacterial infections and address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. The research not only sheds light on basic biological mechanisms but also seeks to uncover potential targets for new therapeutic strategies.
SalmonellainjectisomeType III secretionantimicrobial resistancebacterial pathogenesis
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the molecular mechanisms of injectisome biogenesis.
AIM 02Characterize substrate specificity for protein secretion by Salmonella.
AIM 03Uncover gene regulatory mechanisms linked to Type III secretion systems.
AIM 04Develop new antimicrobial strategies based on injectisome function.
AIM 05Explore the structural basis of substrate recognition in bacterial secretion.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRgenetic screeningcell cultureprotein purificationmolecular cloning
Output against the department
Publications161top 42% of dept.431st of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations9.1ktop 42% of dept.434th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.