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Joanna Goldberg

Goldberg, Joanna B.

Education

  • BA, Biology, Boston University
  • PhD, Microbiology, University of California, Berkeley

Contact Information


Email: jbg2b@virginia.edu

Research Interests

Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis

Research Description

The major focus of my laboratory is the investigation of strategies used by bacteria to cause diseases in humans. We study various bacteria and their factors especially surface polysaccharides and other potential adhesins and assess their effect on the virulence and physiology of the bacterium as well as on host cells. Our general approach is to construct and characterize bacterial mutants and monitor these for relevant phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and in in vivo and in vitro models of infection. In addition, we are constructing vaccines to these pathogens based on the expression of polysaccharides and testing these in mouse models of infection. The goal of these studies is to develop rational strategies to disrupt virulence and promote clearance of pathogenic bacteria.

Selected Publications