Tu-Anh Huynh
Credentials: Food Science Department
Position title: C-di-AMP signaling in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis
Email: thuynh6@wisc.edu
Phone: 608-262-5960
Address:
127B Babcock Hall
1605 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
LAB WEBSITE:
FOCUS GROUPS:
Cellular & Molecular Metabolism; Immunology: Physiology
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION:
My research program investigates signaling mechanisms that mediate bacterial pathogenesis and adaptation. We currently focus on c-di-AMP, which is required for bacterial growth and infection. Within bacteria, c-di-AMP also regulates many cellular processes, such as central metabolism, turgor pressure maintenance, DNA damage repair, and biofilm formation. C-di-AMP is absent in eukaryotes, and bacteria-derived c-di-AMP triggers robust immune responses during infection of the host. Additionally, the accumulation of c-di-AMP is also toxic to bacterial virulence. Employing the human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes as a model, we’re pursuing the following aspects of c-di-AMP signaling: i) What are the biological functions of c-di-AMP binding proteins in bacteria and infected host cells? ii) What are the mechanisms by which c-di-AMP regulates its protein targets? iii) High-throughput screens for inhibitors of c-di-AMP hydrolysis for use as antibiotics or antibiotic adjuvants. We’re also beginning to investigate the essential roles of c-di-AMP in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a human commensal bacterium.
ALSO A TRAINER IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: Microbiology Doctoral Training Program (MDTP), Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBMS), Food Science