The research in Dr. Jones' laboratory focuses on identifying and characterizing the virulence mechanisms of two bacterial pathogens: Salmonella typhimurium and the Select Agent Francisella tularensis. The group has developed a variety of genetic tools for the research projects involving the highly pathogenic F. tularensis, with the long-term goal that new virulence genes that are identified will be targeted with a view to developing specific therapeutics. Various projects are currently identifying genes required for capsule production, survival in neutrophils and macrophages, and regulation of the virulence gene cluster on the Francisella Pathogenicity Island. These experiments utilize both the F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) and the virulent F. tularensis SchuS4 strain, and are thus performed under biosafety level-3 working conditions. For the S. Typhimurium projects, past research efforts have centered around characterizing genes required for bacterial invasion into epithelial host cells, as well as genes required for colonization and biofilm formation on host intestinal cells. Current efforts are focused on applying current knowledge about virulence genes to engineer Salmonella strains that are non-pathogenic but retain the ability to colonize their hosts. In particular, the group is seeking to construct avirulent Salmonella strains that can outcompete pathogenic Salmonella strains, or that can deliver an important enzymatic function to a host with a genetic defect (e.g. the delivery of phenylalanine dehydroxygenase to individuals with phenylketonuria). These ongoing research efforts are based on a significant body of literature on engineered Salmonella strains that are used for purposes such as the development of live vaccines and the delivery of heterologous antigens. Although Dr. Jones brings considerable bacteriology expertise to the Center's focus on CF, he is classified under the Other Genetic Disease category because of his efforts on developing therapies for phenylketonuria using engineered avirulent Salmonella strains.
Selected Publications:
Buchan, B.B. M.K. McLendon, and B.D. Jones. 2008. Identification of differentially regulated Francisella tularensis genes using a newly developed Tn5-based transposon delivery system. Infect Immun. (In press).
Lindemann, S.R., M.K. McLendon, M.A. Apicella, and B.D. Jones. 2007. Adherence and Invasion of Francisella tularensis LVS to Nonphagocytic Cells: Development of a model system to study host cell-pathogen interactions. Infect Immun. 75:3178-3182.
Ledeboer, N.A., J.G. Frye, M. McClelland, and B.D. Jones. 2006. Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium requires the Lpf, Pef, and Tafi fimbriae for biofilm formation on HEp-2 tissue culture cells and chicken intestinal epithelium. Infect Immun. 74:3156-3169.
Esteves, C.l., B.D. Jones, and S. Clegg. 2005. Biofilm formation by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli on epithelial cells following mixed inoculations. Infect Immun. 73:5198-5203.
