Faculty
My Lien Dao
Associate Professor
CONTACT
Office: BSF 205
Phone: (813) 974-5655
Lab: BSF 239, 240
Email
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Univ. of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OKC, OK (1978) Postdoctoral Research Associate Scientist, Department of Biology, the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
RESEARCH
Microbiology
Molecular Microbiology/Immunology
Our laboratory is focused on the molecular biology and immunology of host-pathogen interactions. Targets of our studies include pathogenic microorganisms with a special emphasis on Streptococcus mutans, a principle etiologic agent causing dental decay, and two emerging infectious agents, the protozoans Cryptosporidum parvum and Microsporidium intestinalis, both causing severe parasitic infections in immunodeficient and immunocompromised hosts. Studies with S. mutans involve the molecular cloning and analysis of virulence factors including those involved in coronal and dental root decay, enzymes involved in infectivity through degradation of host proteins, and metabolic proteins that are unique to cariogenic streptococci. Since S. mutans is the causative agent and the predominant component of dental plaque, it also serves as a model for the study of oral microbial ecology. Work with protozoans is focused on their culture and studies of their cellular and molecular interactions with the host cells with special emphasis on the mechanisms of infectivity. Considering that infectious disease is the result of the pathogenicity of the microorganism and the immune functions of the host, our effort is also focused on investigating means to enhance the immune system through dietary manipulations such as calorie intake restriction. Additionally, we collaborate with other laboratories in interdisciplinary research programs contributing our experience in molecular biology, microbiology and immunology.
| Name | Title | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanja Dubravcic, Ph.D. | Abused Drugs and Toxicology Technical Support Leader |
ADD Lake County Dept. 04L8, Bldg. AP31-1 Abbott Laboratories 100 Abbott Park Road Abbott Park, IL 60064-3500 USA |
(847) 935-8824 (office) |
| Valerie Carson, MS | Instructor | Department of Biology Division of Cellular Biology, Microbiology and Molecular biology University of South Florida |
(813) 974-3250 |
| Carlos Chavez, Ph.D. | Senior Corporate Compliance Auditor | Corporate Regulatory and Quality Science Dept. 03QN, Bldg. AP6C 100 Abbott Park Road Abbott Park, IL 60064-6091 |
(847) 937-5517 |
| Thomas K. Han, Ph.D. | Research Associate | Department of Medicine Harvard Medical School 1 Jimmy Fund Way JFB 703 Boston, MA 02115 |
(617) 632-4335 (office) |
| Marios Ioannides, MS | Department of Cytogenetics The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics P.O.Box 23462 1683 Nicosia Cyprus |
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| Joseph J. Johnson, MS | Research Associate | Analytic Microscopy Core Facility H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center |
(813) 745-6067 |
| Kristin S. Morrow, MS | Team Leader Tissue Core | Lifetime Cancer Screening and Prevention Center H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute |
(813) 745-5779 |
| Leonardo Puerta, Ph.D. | Instituto de Investigaciones Inmunológicas Universidad de Cartagena Cartagena, Colombia. |
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| Edward Seijo, MS. | Manager of Shared Resources | H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute SRB-2 12902 Magnolia Drive Tampa, Florida 33612 |
(813) 745-4264 |
| Teresa Seijo, MS. | Senior Biological Scientist – Plant Pathology | University of Florida 14625 County Road 672 Wimauma, FL 33598 |
(813) 634-0000 |
| Sean J. Yoder, MS. | Staff Scientist | Microarray Core H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center |
(813)745-1917 |