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Heidi Goodrich-Blair

May 15, 2023 by

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ADDRESS
Office: 518 Mossman, 307B Mossman
Lab: 641D Mossman
Email
hgblair@utk.edu
Phone
Office: 865-974-6358
Lab: 865-974-6707

Heidi Goodrich-Blair, Ph.D.

David and Sandra White Professor | Head of Microbiology

The long-term objective of our research is to understand molecular basis by which bacteria interact with animal hosts in both mutualistic (beneficial for both the bacterium and the host) and pathogenic associations (harmful to the host).  We investigate these processes in the tripartite system that includes Steinernema parasitic nematodes and their mutually beneficial Xenorhabdus bacterial symbionts. Together, this symbiotic pair infect, kill, and reproduce inside insect hosts. Our approaches use genetic, “omic”, biochemical, and molecular biological techniques to investigate the mechanisms by which hosts recognize and respond to bacteria. For example, we have active lines of research on the regulation and function of genes required by Xenorhabdus bacteria to associate mutualistically with the nematode host, and to independently kill the insect host. Also, we examine insect immune responses to infection and nematode cellular structures involved in bacterial symbiont recruitment and transmission between generations.

Education

  • B.S. 1987 University at Albany, SUNY, Biology
  • Ph.D. 1993 University at Albany, SUNY, Molecular Biology
  • Postdoctoral Research: University at Albany, SUNY; Harvard Medical School, Microbial Genetics

Department of Microbiology

College of Arts and Sciences

1311 Cumberland Avenue
307 Ken and Blaire Mossman Bldg.
Knoxville TN 37996-1937

Email: microbiology@utk.edu

Phone: 865-974-3441

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
865-974-1000

The flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and partner in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.

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