Faculty of Infectious Diseases

Research examines the ecology of infectious diseases in animal populations using a combination of field studies, experiments, comparative approaches and modeling. Particularly interested in the effects of host behavior on pathogen transmission, and the consequences of genetic and environmental factors for host susceptibility.

Offer sequencing and genotyping services at the Georgia Genomics Facility, a Core laboratory at UGA. Primary mission is to assist researchers at UGA and at other institutions with their projects.

Laboratory works on the immunology of human schistosomiasis, primarily in relationship to immune mechanisms of resistance to reinfection and to a lesser extent in regard to immune mechanisms related to subtle and severe morbidity due to this worm infection of 200 million people. Is also developing and will direct a new effort, the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) in support of schistosomiasis control programs.

Strategy is to search for metabolic pathways in parasites that may be essential for their survival but may not find an equivalent counterpart in the host. Currently efforts are concentrated on the mechanisms by which pH and calcium homeostasis are maintained by different trypanosomatids (T. cruzi, T. brucei, and Leishmania sp.) and malaria parasites (P. falciparum, P. berghei) and more specifically in the biochemical and molecular characterization of a new organelle that we have discovered and named the acidocalcisome.

Develop better methods to detect, control, and reduce contamination of foodborne pathogens from farm to plate. Pathogens under study include Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium botulinum, E. coli O157:H7 and EHEC, and Listeria monocytogenes.

Laboratory work focuses on the population and evolutionary dynamics of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. A specific focus is non-direct transmission modes, including vector-transmitted parasites and environmentally transmitted parasites.

Major focus is to determine the mechanisms by which viruses invade the nervous system and cause neurological diseases. In the meantime, also develops strategies to combat virus infection with vaccines and anti-viral agents.

Develops and uses DNA techniques and technologies to address problems in ecology, environmental health, evolution, toxicology, and natural resource management.

Use of models and empirical studies to investigate effects of anthropogenic land use change and climate change on the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, particularly vector-borne multi-host pathogens (e.g. Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania spp. ). Additional research interests include: 1) evaluating effects of parasites/pathogens of keystone species on ecosystem function, 2) understanding how infectious diseases interact with other population regulatory processes such as predation, resource availability, and competition  3)  wildlife pathology and diseases of Neotropical wildlife.

Research in the Hajduk laboratory is focused on the molecular biology and biochemistry of African trypanosomes. Ongoing studies address the mechanism and function of RNA editing and the role of human innate immunity in controlling parasite infection.

Laboratory employs bioinformatics and receptor cross-talk analysis to examine how parasite expressed molecules induce anti-inflammatory signaling and maturation in antigen presenting cells. Also working on vaccines for schistosomiasis, including field testing of the vaccines in China.

Interested in virus and host interactions focusing on the roles of host proteins in replication of paramyxoviruses mumps virus and parainfluenza virus 5. Actively pursuing novel strategies for vaccine development and anti-viral drugs.

Interested in all aspects of wildlife disease, particularly how pathogens affect wildlife populations, communities and ecosystems and primarily with an applied perspective. Aim to integrate ecological principle to inform the fields of conservation medicine and wildlife disease investigation.

Research is focused on understanding the biology and pathogenesis of virus infections with the goal of improving animal and human health.

Molecular Virologist with a primary area of research interest in the identification, characterization, prevention, and control of animal coronaviruses. Most work focuses on infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a coronavirus that causes an upper-respiratory disease in chickens, but lab also conducts research on other coronaviruses of veterinary importance as well as avian influenza virus.

Research focus is on geographic information science (GIScience), remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, geographic information systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), geovisualization and landscape modeling for mapping and assessing vegetation communities, spatio-temporal patterns of landscapes, landuse/land cover changes, anthropology and archaeology, human impacts on the environment and environmental factors affecting the ecology of infectious disease.

Lab studies pathogenic mycobacteria that cause human and/or animal disease. Employ molecular, genetic, microscopic, and infection models to understand how the bacteria senses and adapts to the host immune system.

Major research interests are in the development of new synthetic methods that lead to the construction of biologically active molecules with pharmacological properties. Special emphasis is given to molecules that may serve as antimicrobial agents (i.e. antibacterial, antifungal) or inhibitors of clinically important enzymes which we test in the laboratory.

Roles of metalloproteins (hydrogenases and oxidative stress resistance enzymes) in pathogenic bacteria, particularly in Helicobacters and Enterobacteriaceae. Physical characteristics of the enzymes, their maturation, and their differential expression in animal hosts are of interest.

Research focus includes the maintenance and transmission of vector-borne viruses, ecology of infectious diseases, host-parasite interactions, and the molecular epidemiology of viruses.

Research in the laboratory focuses on transcriptional regulation and genome rearrangements in a strain of Acinetobacter baylyi. Successful treatment strategies may arise from comparisons between this bacterium and pathogenic Acinetobacter species and strains that are causing serious nosocomial infections worldwide.

Using a systems biology approach to understanding the developmental regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis in the parasite Trypanosoma brucei.

Interested in the role of adhesion proteins of the DBL-domain superfamily. Members of this superfamily play diverse roles, functioning both as ligands for erythrocyte receptors during host red cell invasion, and as cytoadherence proteins during sequestration of the parasite throughout the vasculature.

Research focuses primarily on understanding the pathogenesis of tuberculosis and related mycobacterial diseases although a new program examining the virulence mechanisms and survival strategies of Francisella tularensis has been rapidly developing. Current collaborative international activities include tuberculosis diagnostic test development in Mexico and Buruli ulcer pathogenesis studies in Ghana.

Diagnosis and prevention of animals diseases with concentration on Johne’s Disease and leptospirosis in cattle. The research focus on studying the prevalence and developing diagnostic testing methodlogy.

African trypanosomes evade the host immune response by regulated antigenic switching of its VSG coat. Current lab research focus concerns the function of a novel modified DNA base, called base J, on the regulation of telomeric VSG gene expression.

Ecology and Evolution of bacterial pathogens with special emphasis on antimicrobial resistance.

Laboratory focuses on discovery and characterization of novel virulence genes involved in host colonization by pathogens in Burkholderia/Ralstonia group. Uses bioinformatic analyses, shotgun proteomics and in vivo expression profiling with microarrays to mine their genomes to identify novel virulence genes for subsequent analysis in hosts.

Research focus includes the epidemiology and pathogenesis of wildlife diseases, diseases that affect both wildlife and domestic animal populations, and zoonotic diseases originating from wildlife populations.

Research program focuses on parasite- and virus-host interactions in invertebrates. Emphasis of study is on characterization of virulence genes, their interactions with the invertebrate immune and endocrine systems, and their effects on pathogenesis and disease transmission.

Studying the cell and molecular biology of protozoan parasites responsible for AIDS associated opportunistic infections. Program spans from mechanistic studies on parasite biology to drug screening efforts.

1.) Determination of the role of rickettsial pathogens in naturally infected dogs presenting with thrombocytopenia, circulating morulae or clinical signs suggestive of rickettsial disease 2.) Determination of reference values for protein C in clinically healthy dogs 3. Seroprevalence of, diagnosis of, comparison of different test for canine Lyme disease.

Work on the genomics and bioinformatics of prokaryotic mobile genetic elements (MGEs) focusing primarily on conjugative and mobilizable plasmids and on integrons. These elements play key roles in antibiotic multi-resistance which is now endemic throughout the world and a major factor in increasing healthcare costs in all countries.

Laboratory focuses on the interface of influenza viruses with human and domesticated animal populations. Studies involve the ability of influenza to cross species barriers, how the virus evolves to enable cross-species transmission and intervention strategies to address influenza-related disease; including novel detection and phenotyping technologies, vaccines, and therapeutics.

Research interest is to develop translational disease intervention strategies for important human viruses and emerging infectious diseases of zoonotic origin. Investigate the mechanisms of immunity and disease pathogenesis associated with infection to better understand the conceptual and functional differences between innate and adaptive immune responses that provide the foundation necessary to facilitate vaccine and antiviral therapeutic protocols. The laboratories leverage the talents of academic, government and industry partners to promote ‘bench-to-bedside’ and ‘bench-to-barnyard’ vaccines and therapeutics.

Works on mathematical models for infectious disease transmission. Additionally, is interested in the interface between animal and human health related to, but not limited to, zoonotic infections.

Particularly interested in the 3D structure of polysaccharides and lipids from pathogenic bacteria and in the properties that may be exploited in the design of carbohydrate-based vaccines. Employ a number of biophysical techniques, including computational simulation, x-ray diffraction and mass spectrometry.

Laboratory focus is to better understand the ecology of vector-borne and parasitic pathogens in wildlife. Also interested in the evolution and phylogeny of these pathogens.