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Gerald I. Byrne, Ph.D
Professor and Chair
858 Madison Ave
801 Molecular Science Building
Memphis, TN 38163
Email: gbyrne@utmem.edu
Tel: 901-448-6150
Fax: 901-448-7360 |
PubMed search for Dr. Gerald I. Byrne
Research Interests
Work in my lab has focused on various aspects of pathogenesis and immunity
to infectious agents. We are particularly interested in understanding
the interactions between Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae
and their hosts. These bacteria establish a unique relationship with
the host due to their obligate intracellular existence. Chlamydia
trachomatis often causes chronic infections including trachoma, a
blinding ocular disease, and tubal factor infertility, a consequence of
genital tract infection in women. Chlamydia pneumoniae has been
associated with atherosclerosis, an essential component of heart
disease. Complete genome sequences for several isolates for each of
these important human pathogens has facilitated work to understand
differential gene expression patterns under a variety of environmental
conditions. These types of studies have provided basic information important
in understanding the pathogenesis of acute and chronic chlamydial
diseases.
Specific projects that are ongoing include producing
complete microarray transcript maps for C. pneumoniae, and development
of methods that will facilitate the production of a chlamydial proteome
map. Other projects include working on new immune-based diagnostic
tests for chronic chlamydial infections, learning about how chlamydial
heat shock proteins and LPS act as virulence factors, and defining a
role for cell-mediated immune responses to chlamydiae in both
protection against infection and disease pathology.
Education
Ph.D, Microbiology, University of Chicago, 1977
M.S, Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 1972
B.S, Biology, New Mexico State University, 1970
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