Research in my lab focuses on infections in the immunocompromised host. We examine mechanisms of pathogenesis, host-microbe interactions and approaches to therapy. Much of our recent work centers on a novel approach to treat of infections termed photodynamic therapy, in which a chemical agent termed a photosensitizer is activated by light to convert molecular oxygen to reactive oxygen species that are toxic for the target cell. In collaboration with colleagues in the Departments of Physics and Imaging Sciences, we are exploring mechanisms to increase the sensitivity of pathogens to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and developing methods to treat experimental infections using this technology.
