Keyword: Cell biology

• Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

We study how eukaryotic cells communicate with microorganisms, focusing on cell surface receptors and their interaction with host and microbe ligands. We work at the intersection of immunology, microbiology, and neurobiology on how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on mast cells detect interbacterial communication and trigger antibacterial immune defense. We have shown that GPCRs can detect bacterial quorum sensing molecules, which are used by bacteria to coordinate group behaviors like forming biofilms and developing antibiotic resistance. When mast cells detect these signals, they release anti-bacterial mediators that attract other immune cells to sites of infection. Our ultimate goal is to advance knowledge that can lead to new treatments for infectious and inflammatory diseases.