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| Research SummaryOur group is utilizing a systems biology and metabolic engineering approach to pursue a number of different research projects.Infectious Microbial Pathogens Using tools from metabolic engineering, we are characterizing the metabolims of different pathogenic microbes. Specifically we are studying Bacillus anthracis and Rickettsia prowazekii, which are responsible for anthrax and epidemic typhus respectively. Through computational analysis, such as genome-scale metabolic modeling, coupled with experimental studies carried out by our collaborators, we are developing a better understanding and discovering new ways to deal with these infectious agents. Oral Cavity Mucositis Chemotherapy or radiation therapy of people suffering from oral cavity cancer can lead to mucosal injury referred to as "mucositis." We are using a systems biology approach to understand the cascade of events ranging from the molecular level to the tissue level involved in mucositis. Our computational work is tightly integrated with clinical studies carried out by our collaborators. Our hope is to alleviate the suffering of these patients and enhance their quality of life. Fuel Biotechnology A number of approaches are being developed for using biotechnology to address the energy problems currently facing our society. A strategy we are pursuing in collaboration with colleagues is the cellular engineering of microbes for the production of hydrogen. By carrying out genome-scale metabolic analysis, we are identifying how to re-engineer microbial metabolism to optimally produce hydrogen. Computational Biology Tool Development Much of our work involves a significant amount of computational analysis and model development. To facilitate our studies, we are developing a variety of tools for use in systems biology, metabolic engineering, and bioinformatics. In all cases, these tools have value beyond our own work. As a result, we regularly make our computational tools and models available to the general research community. |