RESEARCH PROJECTS
The Elmendorf Laboratory studies the intestinal protozoan parasite, Giardia lamblia. Giardia infections are ubiquitous in many areas of the world, with incidence correlating well with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Symptomatic infections feature a range of gastrointestinal symptoms and can be debilitating in the short-term. Many infections are often asymptomatic or self-limiting, but their frequency in developing countries can have long-term deleterious effects on development and health, particularly in children. In addition to human infections, the parasite infects a wide range of animals: domesticated, agricultural and wild.
There's a great story about our research - written by a former Georgetown student now studying journalism at NYU - available here.
Gene Expression and Antisense Transcription
The lab has historically focused on the phenomenon of antisense transcription in the parasite and its implications for regulation of gene expression and on the role of the cytoskeleton in determining cell structure and motility. Our findings from these research projects has led us to our current lines of research:
Cell Structure and Motility
Our interest in cell structure and motility has led us to investigate how Giardia interacts with the mucus of the small intestine during establishment of an infection. The layer of mucus that coats the gastrointestinal surfaces (and many other exposed surfaces in the respiratory and female reproductive systems) is thought of primarily as host defense against pathogens. How Giardia overcomes this barrier to attach directly to the host intestinal epithelial cells is unknown. We are conducting a series of biochemical and biophysical experiments to examine how Giardia interacts with mucus. In this work, we collaborate with the Urbach Laboratory in the Physics Department and Institute for Soft Matter at Georgetown.
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gene Regulation
Our interest in the regulation of gene expression has evolved to focus on epigenetic mechanisms of regulation (though we maintain a fondness for antisense!). Our research and that of many others in the field delineated the basic mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, yet the paucity of regulatory machinery has led us to investigate the possibility that Giardia uses DNA methylation as a means of gene regulation. Here, we are taking both molecular and biochemical approaches to study DNA methylation and to examine its suitability as a possible drug target.
There's a great story about our research - written by a former Georgetown student now studying journalism at NYU - available here.
Gene Expression and Antisense Transcription
The lab has historically focused on the phenomenon of antisense transcription in the parasite and its implications for regulation of gene expression and on the role of the cytoskeleton in determining cell structure and motility. Our findings from these research projects has led us to our current lines of research:
Cell Structure and Motility
Our interest in cell structure and motility has led us to investigate how Giardia interacts with the mucus of the small intestine during establishment of an infection. The layer of mucus that coats the gastrointestinal surfaces (and many other exposed surfaces in the respiratory and female reproductive systems) is thought of primarily as host defense against pathogens. How Giardia overcomes this barrier to attach directly to the host intestinal epithelial cells is unknown. We are conducting a series of biochemical and biophysical experiments to examine how Giardia interacts with mucus. In this work, we collaborate with the Urbach Laboratory in the Physics Department and Institute for Soft Matter at Georgetown.
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gene Regulation
Our interest in the regulation of gene expression has evolved to focus on epigenetic mechanisms of regulation (though we maintain a fondness for antisense!). Our research and that of many others in the field delineated the basic mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, yet the paucity of regulatory machinery has led us to investigate the possibility that Giardia uses DNA methylation as a means of gene regulation. Here, we are taking both molecular and biochemical approaches to study DNA methylation and to examine its suitability as a possible drug target.
