The interest of my laboratory lies in understanding fundamental mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and the innate immune system, with a special focus on human streptococcal and staphylococcal infections and emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Using a wide variety of molecular genetic approaches, the laboratory discovers and characterizes bacterial virulence determinants involved in cytotoxicity, adherence, invasion, inflammation, molecular mimicry and resistance to immunologic clearance. In companion studies, we investigate the contribution of host factors such as antimicrobial peptides, cytokines, leukocyte surface receptors, signal transduction pathways, and transcription factors in defense against invasive bacterial infection. Ultimately, we believe the basic discovoeries gained through this platform will inform novel treatment strategies for infectious diseases, including targeted neutralization of microbial virulence phenotypes, pharmacologic augmentation of host immune function, novel monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, and repurposing of FDA-approved drugs to beneficial impact at the host-pathogen interface. My other longstanding academic focus areas include cross-disciplinary research and educational program development, enhancing graduate and postdoctoral training in biological, medical and pharmaceutical sciences, junior faculty development, encouragement of academic-industry collaborations, and public engagement in the sciences.