Torsten Eckstein

Bacterial Genetics, Lipidomics, and Physiology. There are two primary bacterial pathogens our lab is focusing on: Mycobacterium avium with its five distinct subspecies: subsp. avium, subsp. hominissuis, subsp. silvaticum, subsp. lepraemurium, and subsp. paratuberculosis (with its ovine, bovine, and caprine types); and Burkholderia pseudomallei (including the related species B. mallei and B. thailandensis). The major interest is in defining the Immunolipidome of these pathogens: To develop diagnostic tests on infectious disease these bacteria are involved in (Johne’s disease in cattle and sheep; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in humans; and melioidosis in humans); To identify lipids stimulating innate immunity that could be used as adjuvants and/or immunomodulators; To determine lipids that could be serve in a vaccine, and To define new drug target for the treatment of melioidosis.