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个人简介
Research Interests:
My specific research interests are focused in three major areas: 1. understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for replication, cytopathology, and biological diversity of large, circular double-stranded DNA, entomopathogenic viruses belonging in the family Ascoviridae and Baculoviridae; 2. understanding the genetic mechanisms responsible for the regulation of synthesis and crystallization of endotoxins in the entomopathogenic bacteria, including Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and B. sphaericus, with an applied emphasis; and 3. understanding the genetic basis for transfer of large toxigenic plasmids among environmental strains of Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. Most of this work is done in collaboration with Dr. Brian A. Federici (University of California, Riverside, UCR), Dr. Hyun-Woo Park (CBU, UCR), Dr. Yves Bigot (UMR INRA-CNRS 7247, PRC, Centre INRA de Nouzilly, France), Dr. J. E. Barboza-Corona (University of Guanajuato, México), and Dr. Izabela Swiecicka (University of Bialystok, Poland).
1. Ascoviruses. The ascoviruses are intriguing for study in that they demonstrate a novel cytopathology in insect cells where they induce a modified form of genetically programmed cell-death (apoptosis) that is unique among all known viruses. Since our publication of the annotated genomic sequence of the type species, the Spodoptera frugiperda ascovirus 1a (SfAV1a), we have made significant progress in elucidating the novel ultrastructure of this virus and in elucidating a mechanism for its genomic DNA condensation and encapsidation. In addition, with our colleagues in France, we have made important strides in understanding the phylogenetic relationship of ascoviruses and iridoviruses. Our recent and current work continues in the area of understanding the molecular biology of ascovirus cytopathology, ultrastructure, and diversity.
2. Bacillus thuringiensis. With regard to the entomopathogenic bacteria, a better knowledge of the genetic mechanisms that regulate protein toxin synthesis and crystallization not only provides basic scientific insights into these processes, but also contributes to the development of novel biopesticides that target insect vectors of viral and parasitic diseases, such as the West Nile virus and malaria. The technology developed through our research in Dr. Federici’s laboratory has already yielded genetically engineered strains of bacteria with markedly improved mosquitocidal activities, several of which potentially have applied value. Our most recent work focuses on the intermolecular interactions between the cytolytic toxin (Cyt1Aa) and various crystal toxins (Cry) as a basis for understanding their synergy against mosquito and lepidopteran larvae, and for developing various novel combinations of Cyt1Aa and Cry toxins for applied use. My current work is to decipher the genetic determinants and mechanisms responsible for the synthesis of a multilamellar fibrous matrix that surrounds each of the crystalline inclusions and the mature parasporal body of B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis. In this regard, our group has already identified at least two key protein required for the structure and stability of the parasporal body.
3. Toxigenic plasmid replication and transmission. We are in the process of deciphering the mechanism by which the large toxigenic plasmid, pBtoxis, in B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis replicates. Here, we have identified the essential genes and cis-elements harbored in pBtoxis that are required for plasmid propagation and have shown that the mechanism is related to the system used by the toxigenic plasmid in B. anthracis. Indeed, a key component required for replicative function of these toxigenic plasmids is a novel FtsZ/tubulin-like protein, uncommon in the prokaryotic world. Our initial publications, and those in only a few reports by others, indicate that the toxigenic plasmids in Bacillus species have a replicative system unique among prokaryotes. This system was recently designated as the Type III plasmid segregation system. My current interest and future work in this area is to understand transmission of large toxigenic plasmid among natural Bacillus species.
Faculty webpage:
http://www.calbaptist.edu/faculty-directory/profileview?userID=15
研究兴趣
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULESno. Pt 3 (2024): 128049-128049
Leticia Silva Miranda, Sarah Renee Rudd, Oscar Mena, Piper Eden Hudspeth,Jose E. Barboza-Corona,Hyun-Woo Park,Dennis Ken Bideshi
BIOLOGY-BASELno. 3 (2024)
bioRxivno. 49 (2023): e2203241120-e2203241120
Frontiers in Microbiology (2023): 1237790
Sarah R. Rudd, Leticia Silva Miranda, Hannah R. Curtis,Yves Bigot,Mercedes Diaz-Mendoza,Robert Hice,Victor Nizet,Hyun-Woo Park,Gregor Blaha,Brian A. Federici,Dennis K. Bideshi
BIOLOGY-BASELno. 11 (2023): 1421-1421
Encyclopedia of Virologypp.724-731, (2021)
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#Papers: 93
#Citation: 2149
H-Index: 25
G-Index: 42
Sociability: 6
Diversity: 0
Activity: 1
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