FSU Biology - Faculty Research Interests - Microbiology and Immunology
Microbiology and Immunology
FACULTY
Robert H. Reeves
Bacterial genetics and phylogeny; rRNA gene
structure and function.
Kenneth H. Roux
Molecular immunology; immunochemistry and structural
analysis of antibodies; food allergies.
Hengli Tang
Virus-host cell interactions; Cell biology of HCV replication; Cellular co-factors for HIV and HCV infection.
Fanxiu Zhu
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV); cell and molecular biology of human DNA tumor virus; viral strategies of immune evasion.
The Microbiology and Immunology group has widely ranging research interests. The study of
yeast genetics includes the construction of yeast-human hybrid genes (e.g., human cystic
fibrosis gene) whose gene products can be assayed in yeast cells. Research related to
bacteria includes the isolation, characterization, and/or analysis of bacteria from
diverse environments, including extreme (e.g. dry desserts of Sahara, Antarctic),
subsurface, and marine environments. Analysis of bacteria from subsurface environments
often reveals unusual growth properties, and several isolates are candidates for
bioremediation. In addition, the study of marine pathogenic bacteria, primarily from the
Vibrionaciae, has facilitated the development of rapid non-cultural assays using DNA
probes. Some research focuses on ribosomal and transfer RNA genes in bacteria including
their organization and expression. Immunology research is similarly diverse, including
structural studies of antibodies and HIV-1 envelope proteins, functional studies of
unusual antibody forms, and the characterization of food allergens.
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