Molecular Sciences Faculty Directory
Gerald I. Byrne, Ph.D
Professor and Chair
858 Madison Ave.
801 Molecular Science Building
Memphis, TN 38163
Email: gbyrne@utmem.edu
Phone: 901-448-6150
Fax: 901-448-7360
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.
PubMed search for Dr. Gerald I. Byrne
Education
- Ph.D, Microbiology, University of Chicago, 1977
- M.S, Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, 1972
- B.S, Biology, New Mexico State University, 1970
