M Patrauchan

Our lab is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms of calcium (Ca²⁺ ) signaling in bacteria and its role in regulating virulence and resistance in human pathogens. Ca²⁺ regulates a number of essential processes in eukaryotes, however, very little is know about the regulatory and signaling roles of Ca²⁺ in bacteria. We aim to identify and characterize Ca²⁺ signal transduction cascades regulating virulence and adaptations to host in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a human pathogen causing severe acute and chronic infections.