Linda L. McCarter, Ph.D.
Ph.D., University of California, Davis, 1984 |
Professor of Microbiology Campus address: 3-430 BSB Mailing address: 51 Newton Rd. 3-430 Bowen Science Building Iowa City, IA 52242 Phone: 319-335-9721 Email: |
Surface sensing, signal transduction, c-di-GMP signaling, and regulation of gene expression
In order to survive in changing environments, bacteria possess enormous adaptive capabilities that allow them to modulate their behavior and reprogram gene expression in response to environmental cues. One important survival strategy for bacteria is adhesion to and colonization of surfaces. My laboratory is focused on understanding how bacteria adapt to life on surfaces and in biofilms. We ask the following kinds of questions. How do bacteria recognize surfaces? What genes are turned on by growth on a surface? How is behavior coordinated? How do bacteria interact to develop surface-attached communities or biofilms? How do bacteria process information and make decisions-for example, make the decision to swim, swarm or stick? We also are probing the significance of surface sensing with respect to virulence of the organism. We study Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a worldwide pathogen and a model organism for surface sensing–as it undergoes the remarkable differentiation known as swarming when transitioning from liquid to surfaces. Our ultimate goal is to define the gene activity pertinent to growth on surfaces and to trace the regulatory circuitry that enable bacteria to establish growth, coordinate behavior, and develop structured communities on surfaces. How cells program gene expression when growing as communities on surfaces may be key to understanding pathogenesis of many organisms.
Specific projects:
- Surface sensing, signal transduction and motility
- Genetic control of growth on surfaces: cyclic di-GMP and GGDEF-EAL circuitry
- Biofilm development and regulation of cell surface molecules such as polysaccharide
- Transcriptional profiling in collaboration with David Weiss
- Mechanisms of virulence
V. parahaemolyticus swimmer cells (~2 microns) |
V. parahaemolyticus swarmer cells (>20 microns) |
Swarming on a petri dish |
V. parahaemolyticus "sticky" colony overproducing capsular polysaccharide |
Magnified edge of a swarming colony |
Growth in a biofilm |
Recent publications
Ferreira, R.B., L.C.M. Antunes, E.P. Greenberg, and L.L. McCarter. 2008. Vibrio parahaemolyticus ScrC modulates c-di-GMP regulation of gene expression relevant to growth on surfaces. J Bacteriol 190:851-860.
Kim, Y.K., and L.L. McCarter. 2007. ScrG, a GGDEF-EAL protein, participates in regulating swarming and sticking in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. J Bacteriol 188:4094-4107.
Jacques, S., and L.L. McCarter. 2006. Identification of three new regulators of swarming in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. J Bacteriol 188:2625-2635.