Genomics and Metagenomics of Uropathogenesis

In order to understand the determinants of uropathogenicity in Escherichia coli, we have sequenced and performed transcriptomics on samples from urinary tract infections (UTIs).  UTI risk and outcome are determined by a combination of host susceptibility determinants and bacterial urovirulence phenotypes that are driven by both variations in gene content and by differential expression of conserved functions.

Metagenomics projects in the group focus on understanding the role of gut microbiome in human disease. We are studying the effects of cranberry juice on the gut microbiome of patients with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), one of the most common infections in the U.S.  We also investigate the dynamic changes of bacterial uropathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) using cohort data of cranberry juice study and an additional longitudinal study to compare the microbiome and E. coli populations from patients who suffer from frequent recurrent UTI with low frequency UTI patients.

Collaborators

Washington University in St. Louis Scott Hultgren, Henry Schreiber
Ocean Spray Kerrie Kaspar, Christina Khoo
Fred Hutchinson Research Center Meredith Hullar, Orsalem Kahsai, and Elizabeth Traylor