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Barbara Kazmierczak

 

Microbiology; Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics & Development

Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Microbial Pathogenesis

Education

B.A. University of Chicago 1986
Ph.D. Rockefeller University 1993
M.D. Cornell University 1994

Research Interests

Our laboratory studies the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition to causing chronic infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, Pseudomonas exploits pre-existing epithelial tissue damage to cause acute infections of the cornea, skin, lower respiratory tract and urinary tract. We are currently defining the bacterial and epithelial cell molecules that are required for productive interactions between Pseudomonas and host cells, with particular interests in understanding how epithelial cells signal in response to contact with Pseudomonas and how host-cell contact triggers P. aeruginosa type III secretion. Because an intact epithelium provides a formidable barrier to P. aeruginosa infections, we are also using Pseudomonas as a model pathogen for understanding how respiratory epithelial cells participate in triggering and organizing innate immune responses to pathogens and how epithelial injury disrupts this process.

Links

• Kazmierczak Homepage

Recent Publications

• Sutterwala FS, Mijares LA, Li L, Ogura Y, Kazmierczak BI, Flavell RA. (2007) Immune recognition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa mediated by the IPAF/NLRC4 inflammasome. J Exp Med 204: 3235-3245.
• Murray TS, Egan M, Kazmierczak BI. (2007) Chronic colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients. Curr Opin Pediatrics 19:83-88.

Contact

E-mail
barbara.kazmierczak@yale.edu