Microbiology

Director: Carl E. Cerniglia, Ph.D.

The Division of Microbiology at NCTR serves a multipurpose function with specialized expertise to perform fundamental and applied research in microbiology as well as to respond to microbial surveillance and diagnostic needs for research projects within NCTR and FDA. The Division of Microbiology consists of research scientists, research support staff, postdoctoral fellows, undergraduate and graduate students, visiting scientists, and program support specialists. The Microbiology Division has the staff and facilities to help address the scientific challenges encountered by FDA and other government organizations. Examples of the research within the Division and collaborative research with scientists from other NCTR Divisions, FDA Centers, academic institutions, and other federal agencies are described below. Projects are based on FDA priorities and programmatic expertise. The research program is divided into five areas:

1. food safety, food biosecurity, and methods development
2. antimicrobial resistance in foodborne and commensal bacteria
3. intestinal microflora and host interactions
4. environmental biotechnology
5. microbiological surveillance and diagnostic support of research

Ongoing Research Projects

• Antimicrobial Resistance Genetics of Emerging Salmonella Enterica Serovar Javiana Phenotypes Involved in Clinical and Food-Related Outbreaks (E0726701)
• Application of Co-Culture and Simulated-Vaginal Models to Elucidate the Inhibitory Properties of Naturally Occurring and Bioengineered Strains of Lactobacillus Toward Toxic-Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 Producing Strains of Staphylococcus aureus (E0728601)
• Assessment of Effects and Metabolism of Synthetic Azo Colorants Used in Women's Cosmetics on Human Skin Microbiota (E0729301)
• Biotransformation of Isoflavonoid Phytoestrogens by Colonic Microfloras of Experimental Animals (E0724401)
• Co-Display of Hemagglutinin and CD154 on the Surface of Yeast Cells as a Vaccine against Avian Influenza (E0733301)
• Evaluation of the Mechanisms of Inactivation and Degradation of Third-Generation Cephalosporins by the Bovine Intestinal Microflora (E0721901)
• Gene Expression Responses of Estrogen-Primed Vaginal-Epithelial Cells After Contact with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14, and the Pathogenic Fungus, Candida albicans (E0729401)
• Impact of Antimicrobial Residues on the Human Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota (E0732701)
• Isolation and Characterization of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Bacteria from Shrimp (E0730701)
• Mechanistic Evaluation of the Induction of Lymphoproliferation and Apoptosis Inhibition by Probiotic Bacteria in Mice Infected with Salmonella Enterica (E0727601)
• Microbial Degradation of Fluoroquinolone Antimicrobial Agents (E0722701)
• Molecular Characterization of Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. Isolated from Seafood and Development of Microarray Detection Method (E0720801)
• Protective Effect of Vaginal-Lactobacillus Species Against Staphylococcus Aureus-Mediated Toxic-Shock Syndrome (E0725501)
• Proteomic Approaches to Elucidate Biodegradative Pathways (E0711801)
• The Survival of Bacillus Anthracis in Processed Liquid Eggs (E0725101)

The NCTR Annual Report contains information on the latest accomplishments and plans for the Division of Microbiology as well as project and publication listings.