Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology
Spirochetes are bacteria of major medical importance. Some of
the most fundamental aspects of their biology and their
mechanisms of pathogenesis are not understood. These medically
important bacteria cause syphilis and periodontal disease
(Treponema sp.), Lyme disease (Borrelia sp.), leptospirosis
(Leptospira sp.), and swine dysentery and human diarrheal
disease (Brachyspira sp.). The research in our laboratory is
centered on understanding their basic biology using a genetic,
biochemical, and structural approach. Our specific area of
interest is to have a thorough understanding of spirochete
motility, and how this attribute allows the organisms to invade
host tissue. Our current focus is on the Lyme disease spirochete
Borrelia burgdorferi. We have taken two separate approaches.
First, we characterized in depth their swimming behavior using
light microscopy, and with electron cryotomography, their
structure. We found that these organisms swim using backwar