Research
Coxiella burnetii is a zoonotic bacterium. In humans, C. burnetii causes the flu-like syndrome Query (Q) fever. C. burnetii causes sporadic outbreaks of Q-fever world-wide.
Chlamydia trachomatis is a human-adapted pathogen. Depending on pathotype, C. trachomatis can cause ocular or sexually transmitted infections. Clinical burden: more than 100 million new infections every year, world-wide.
Biological basis for specific gene loss during genome streamlining
In the process of pathoadaptation, BOIPs lose some genes but not others. We determine the impact of specific gene loss on pathogen virulence to understand the selective pressures that influence genome streamlining and continued pathoadaptation in BOIPs. The effect of expressing G6PD, an enzyme not naturally expressed by C. burnetii, is an example of this type of analysis.
Developmental transitions between pathogen cell forms
Both Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia trachomatis transition between physiologically distinct cell forms (e.g., replicative vs non-replicative; infectious vs non-infectious) during their life cycles. We determine metabolic and physiological characteristics of pathogen cell forms and identify nutritional cues and genes that influence developmental transitions in Coxiella and Chlamydia.
Coxiella survival within the intracellular niche
C. burnetii replicates within the so-called Coxiella Containing Vacuole (CCV) and is unique in that it can replicate within a phagolysosome-derived vacuole in macrophages, an immune cell that normally serves to kill invading bacteria. C. burnetii also has to overcome other challenges within the CCV with specifics depending on host cell type. We study the molecular mechanisms used by C. burnetii to overcome various anti-bacterial functions of the pathogen’s host cell.
All things BOIP - the broader profile of our research interests
In addition to research on Coxiella and Chlamydia, the biology, pathogenesis, and tool development for the study of various BOIPs fall within the broader scope of projects in the Omsland Lab. Examples include research on human pathogens of the genus Rickettsia, and the vector-borne plant pathogen Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus.
Complete List of Publications
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1lmc22pQEELkH/bibliography/public/