Ph.D. (2000) |
José A. Lemos , Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Immunology in the Center for Oral Biology
Primary Appointment: GEBS
Cluster Affiliations: | |
| Contact Information: | ||
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University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 611 Rochester, New York 14642 |
KMRB
G-9643 Phone: (585)275-1850 Fax: (585) 276-0190 E-Mail: Jose_Lemos@urmc.rochester.edu |
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- Research Focus
- Molecular Genetics and Physiology of the Response to Environmental Stresses by Oral Bacteria.
- Research Overview
- Despite
significant progress in treatment and prevention, dental caries remains
among the most common infectious diseases afflicting humans and results
in an enormous health and economic burden worldwide. Oral streptococci
are among the most abundant microorganisms in the mouth and are
represented by species that are associated with oral health, as well as
by species associated with disease. Two species of mutans streptococci,
Streptococcus mutans
and S. sobrinus,
are believed to be the primary etiologic agents of dental caries
because of their ability to tenaciously adhere to the tooth surface,
metabolize a wide range of carbohydrates, and to survive large and
rapid changes in its environment.
The research in my laboratory is focused on characterization of the response by lactic acid bacteria to environmental stresses. To accomplish our goals, we use a variety of state-of-the-art molecular and biochemical techniques, that include genomics and proteomics approaches. The specific projects in the laboratory are divided in two major areas. The first is to dissect the role of stress genes in gene regulation, responses to environmental stresses, and biofilm formation by S. mutans. These studies include the genetic and physiologic characterization of the major molecular chaperones from S. mutans and the identification of new genes involved in stress tolerance and biofilm formation. The second project is to characterize the mechanisms that allow non-S. mutans bacteria to thrive and interact with other bacteria in oral biofilms. Current studies include the characterization of the physiologic and genetic control of acid tolerance by S. sobrinus. - Recent Publications
PubMed is
maintained by the National Library of Medicine
and provides complete abstracts of all 'lord e' publications,
as well as links to the full text of many articles (at journal
homepages).