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FRISC: The Faculty Research Interests Science Comparator |
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Professor of Microbiology
Immunology
Molecular Microbiology
Office: (214) 648-5974
FAX: (214) 648-5905
Email: hansen01@utsw.swmed.edu
Despite advances in antibiotic therapy, infectious diseases persist as
significant causes of morbidity and mortality in the general population. Moreover, certain
microorganisms have a propensity for producing disease in specific populations, as defined
by age, sex, race, or other delineating factors. The virulence mechanisms which these
pathogens use to evade, circumvent, or defeat host defense systems are mostly unknown or
poorly understood. Our laboratory is interested in elucidating the molecular basis of
microbial virulence, which in turn will lead to new methods for prophylaxis and therapy of
bacterial diseases.
Recombinant DNA methods are indispensable tools in the investigation of
microbial virulence mechanisms. This technology can be used to define the importance of
specific gene products in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections. My laboratory
emphasizes the use of molecular genetic systems ( e.g ., differential display/RT-PCR)
to study two different bacterial pathogens as prototypic microbial invaders. Moraxella
catarrhalis is a common cause of upper respiratory tract infection ( i.e.,
otitis media) in children. In contrast, Haemophilus ducreyi is the etiologic agent
of a sexually transmitted, genital ulcer disease known as chancroid. This latter disease
has been identified as an important cofactor in the spread of AIDS. My laboratory has
already developed relevant animal models for the diseases caused by these two pathogens.
Equally important is the fact that we have devised highly efficient DNA exchange systems
which facilitate genetic analysis of these pathogens.
Research emphasis in my laboratory is placed on (1) the identification
of bacterial genes that encode virulence factors and (2) the determination of how the host
response to the invading pathogen contributes to the disease process. We have already
identified important virulence factors of both M. catarrhalis and H. ducreyi ;
our continuing studies include the precise construction of isogenic mutants whose
virulence can then be evaluated in the appropriate animal model. We are also developing
new, in vivo mutagenesis techniques to enhance our genetic analysis capabilities.
Selected Publications:
Bauer, B.A., S.R. Lumbley, and E.J. Hansen. (1999) Characterization of
a WaaF (RfaF) homolog expressed by Haemophilus ducreyi . Infect. Immun .
67:899-907
Mayer, M.P.A., C. Bueno, E.J. Hansen, and J.M. DiRienzo. (1999)
Identification of a cytolethal distending toxin gene locus and features of a
virulence-associated region in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans . Infect.
Immun . 67:1227-1237
Cope, L.D., E.R. Lafontaine, C.A. Slaughter, C.A. Haseman, Jr., C.
Aebi, F.W. Henderson, G.H. McCracken, Jr., and E.J. Hansen (1999) Characterization of the Moraxella
catarrhalis uspA1 and uspA2 genes and their encoded products. J. Bacteriol .
181:4026-4034
Stevens, M.K., J.L. Latimer, S.R. Lumbley, C.K. Ward, L.D. Cope, T.
Lagergard, and E.J. Hansen (1999) Characterization of a Haemophilus ducreyi mutant
deficient in expression of the cytolethal distending toxin. Infect. Immun ., in
press
Lewis, D.A., J. Klesney-Tait, S.R. Lumbley, C.K. Ward, J.L. Latimer, C.A. Ison, and
E.J. Hansen (1999) Identification of the znuA -encoded periplasmic zinc transport
protein of Haemophilus ducreyi . Infect. Immun ., in press
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Last updated: 17 Nov 2000
Extraction Method: Expand using Medical Synonyms-
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