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Our lab has used a combination of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and genomic approaches to understand general biological processes and the evolution of pathogens, and to design new therapeutic approaches to thwart infections.

Evolution of emerging infectious diseases.

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Genes that encode exotoxins are often carried on phage. Metagenomic studies by the Rohwer lab demonstrated that phage in the environment are an abundant source of exotoxin genes, including Diptheria toxin, Cholerae toxin, Shiga toxin, and many others.

To gain insight into the evolution of new infectious diseases, we are studying exotoxin genes in the Tijuana River Estuary, a vulnerable natural habitat that is impacted by upstream human activities. We have identified novel reservoirs of exotoxin genes in the environment, providing a mechanism for the rapid evolution of new pathogens by the transfer of these virulence factors to new bacteria, potentially converting avirulent bacteria into pathogens.

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