“The decision to attend Wake Forest University was actually not a difficult one! From the moment I arrived at interview weekend, there was little doubt that Wake Forest was the place for me. All the faculty were conducting fascinating (and not to mention well-funded) research, and I was very impressed by the collaboration that exists within each department. Both the faculty and current graduate students were friendly, encouraging, and passionate about what they do. The weekend was enjoyable and informative, the facilities and the location are impressive, and I am convinced I am at one of the best institutions for higher learning in the field of biomedical sciences.”

Research

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) causes chronic mucosal infections that involve bacterial persistence within biofilms.  Data from our lab show both persistence of NTHi after infection in the chinchilla middle ear otitis media model and presence of dense networks of DNA and host components, such as neutrophils.  This environment and structures formed upon in vitro infection of primary human neutrophils with NTHi are consistent with neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), a proposed innate immune mechanism in which neutrophils can function in killing even after death.  NETs consist of a network of DNA, which has been shown to “trap” invading organisms, exposing them to high local concentrations of bactericidal neutrophil contents, such as elastase and histone protein.  Since NTHi is shown to persist, it is likely that the bacterial biofilm is protective against the killing effect of NETs.  We will use both in vitro and in vivo approaches, as well as manipulations from both the bacterial and host sides, to identify mechanisms by which NTHi 1.) induces the formation of NETs, and 2.) survives within NETs.