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Microbial Research in the Biology Department

Many research groups in the Biology Department study microorganisms. Please click on the faculty member’s name to learn more about their research program. Information regarding the graduate program in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) with which the faculty member is affiliated is also provided.

DBBS Programs: B = Biochemistry, CMB = Computational and Molecular Biophysics, CSB = Computational and Systems Biology, DB = Developmental Biology, EEPB = Evolution, Ecology and Population Biology, MCB = Molecular Cell Biology, MGG = Molecular Genetics and Genomics, MMMP = Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, PB = Plant Biology.

Cover Photo from J. Bacteriology. Article published in 2007 by Petra Levin’s Lab., 2007. Link: http://jb.asm.org/cgi/content/short/189/24/9001

Seminar Schedule: Micro Super Group Talks

Faculty

Robert Blankenship Lucille P. Markey Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences
Molecular mechanisms of energy storage in photosynthetic systems. DBBS Programs: PB, B, CMB
Douglas Chalker Associate Professor, Department of Biology
Genetic and epigenetic regulation of developmentally programmed DNA rearrangements of Tetrahymena DBBS Programs: MGG, MMMP, DB
Ursula Goodenough Professor, Department of Biology
Molecular genetics and evolution of sex in Chlamydomonas. Characterization of lipid-body biogenesis in Chlamydomonas, to contribute to the international effort to produce algal biodiesel as a transportation fuel. DBBS Programs: PB, DB
Elizabeth Haswell Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Mechanotransdution and mechanosensitive ion channels in plants; organelle morphology determination. Mechanosensitive ion channels in Escherichia coli. DBBS Programs: PB, MCB
Joseph Jez Associate Professor, Department of Biology
Structural biology and biochemistry of plant and microbial metabolism. DBBS Programs: PB, B
Robert Kranz Professor, Department of Biology
Gene regulation and biogenesis of extracellular components in bacteria. DBBS Programs: PB, MMMP
Barbara Kunkel Professor, Department of Biology
Plant-pathogen interactions; molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity and host susceptibility in interactions between the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and its hosts, Arabidopsis and tomato. DBBS Programs: PB, MMMP, MGG
Petra Levin Associate Professor, Department of Biology
Temporal and spatial regulation of cell division in Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus DBBS Programs: MMMP, MCB, B, MGG
Himadri Pakrasi Myron and Sonya Glassberg/Albert and Blanche Greensfelder Distinguished University Professor
Director, International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES)
Genetics and biochemistry of protein complexes in energy-transducing membranes; transport of metal ions. Systems: Synechocystis, Arabidopsis thaliana, Physcomitrella patens. DBBS Programs: PB, B, CSB
David Queller Spencer T. Olin Professor
Evolution of cooperation and altruism, studying questions ranging from the genetic and molecular details of cooperation in social amoebas up to the nature of organisms. DBBS Programs: DB, EEPB, MGG
Joan Strassmann Professor of Biology
Evolution of cooperation and altruism, particularly in Dictyostelium discoideum and it's bacterial symbionts; major transitions and organismality. DBBS Programs: EEPB, MGG, MMMP
Robert Thach Professor, Department of Biology
Identifying vertebrate reservoirs for tick-borne pathogens.
Hani Zaher Assistant Professor, Department of Biology