The Aronoff Lab studies host-microbial interactions with an emphasis on bacterial infections and innate immunity. Our microbiology & immunology research centers primarily on two major organ systems:
- FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT
- GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Macrophages, neutrophils, and epithelial cells are the innate immune cells we study most commonly. For macrophages (& neutrophils) our focus is on the regulation of 3 primary functions:
- Receptor-mediated recognition & phagocytosis of bacteria.
- Mechanisms of intracellular killing of bacteria.
- The production of inflammatory mediators (e.g., cytokines, chemokines, & lipids).
Our microbiological studies focus on these Gram positive bacteria:
- The postpartum sepsis-causing bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) and Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus).
- The anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium Clostridium difficile, the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
- The spore-forming, obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium septicum, which can cause myonecrosis (gas gangrene).
- The rare, toxic shock-causing bacterium Clostridium sordellii (also an anaerobe), which can also cause peritonitis.
Clinical Trials going on in Aronoff Lab:
- Development of a Group B Streptococcus Urinary Antigen Detection Assay (Pfizer).
- PROCLAIM is a clinical trial for adults aged 50 years old and older who been diagnosed with a C. difficile infection.
March for Science, 2017, Nashville TN