Rewiring a Human Probiotic to Eliminate Pathogens through Signal Interference and Antibiotic Production

Abstract:
Microbial conflicts arising from antagonistic interactions between members of host-associated microbial communities and pathogens influence microbiome composition and pathogen colonization. There is growing interest in leveraging these conflicts to develop microbiota-based therapies for infectious diseases. However, the effective development of such therapies requires a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which microbiota control infections. Dr Kumaraswami’s laboratory focuses on elucidating these mechanisms, particularly the interactions between pathogenic and commensal bacteria, with the aim of translating these insights into novel strategies for infection treatment and prevention. In this presentation, he will describe and analyze some of his key findings.

Speaker:
Dr Muthiah Kumaraswami
Associate Professor
Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research,
Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Houston, Texas,United States

Biography:
Dr Kumaraswami received his PhD in microbiology and immunology from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. In 2008, Dr Kumaraswami received the Amgen Award for Basic Science Research from the M.D. Anderson Alumni and Faculty Association. He joined the Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute in 2010.