2023 News and Recognitions

Collaborative science approach leads to new NIH funding

A collaboration between Drs. Mary Marquart, PhD and Brian Akerley, PhD led to a newly funded NIH-R21 grant entitled, "Mechanisms underlying adhesion and colonization in pneumococcal keratitis."  The research uses molecular and functional genomics approaches to identify the factors that allow Streptococcus pneumoniae to adhere to the surface of the eye. S. pneumoniae is a respiratory pathogen that can adapt to different niches in the body, such as the eye, making it a leading cause of corneal infection and disease. Knowledge of how this organism can attach to and infect the eye will guide future therapy.

Gibert Lab achieves multiple presentations at International Association Meeting

Research from Yann Gibert, PhD and laboratory was selected for multi presentations at 16th meeting of the Zebrafish Disease Models Society (ZDMS) being held in Durham, North Carolina. The ZDMS is an international association dedicated to the advancement of basic and clinical research using zebrafish disease models.

Yann Gibert, PhD
Poster Presentation: Bisphenol A, but not Bisphenol S, exposure increases lipid deposition by activating the PI3K pathway

Bridget Konadu (Graduate Student - G5)
Flash Talk: Fetal hyperglycemia induces adult obesity and NAFLD in Zebrafish by increasing acetyl-CoA carboxylase expression

Matthew Dubuisson (Graduate Student - G4)
Poster Presentation: Does bisphenol exposure induce bone loss and osteoporosis by binding to and activating the endocannabinoid receptors in zebrafish?

Cindy Nguyen (Graduate Student - G4)
Poster Presentation: N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (N-3 PUFA) Derived Lipid Mediators Increase Hematopoiesis During Zebrafish Embryogenesis