James Bliska

My long-term research focus is to understand how bacterial effectors that are secreted into leukocytes trigger pathogenesis or host protection. We study a professional pathogen (Yersinia) that causes disease in healthy humans and two opportunistic pathogens (Burkholderia, Pseudomonas) that cause airway infections in people with cystic fibrosis. The laboratory uses a multidisciplinary approach including genetics, structural biology, cell biology and immunology. Our goals are to answer important questions in the field and inform new strategies for preventing or treating bacterial infections caused by these pathogens.