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Thirumalai R. Kannan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics

Currently seeking M.S. & Ph.D. students

Research

We mainly focus on the complex interaction between bacterial pathogens and host cells. We study the pathogenesis of two important human pathogens, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium. Despite their very small genomes Mycoplasmas have developed unique ways to interact with their hosts. During their co-evolutionary balance, mycoplasmas have evolved an array of virulence factors well suited to counteract a variety of host-cell responses in order to invade, survive and replicate within their hosts. We are interested in identifying and characterizing the bacterial virulence determinants involved in these interactions as well as the molecular, cellular and immunobiology of this process.We use multidisciplinary approaches such as bacterial genetics, molecular biology, cellular microbiology, host cell biology with animal models and advanced immunofluorescence microscopy to characterize the mechanisms by which these pathogens subvert host cell functions to cause disease.  

Specific areas of interest include: 

Study the mechanism of pathogenesis of M. pneumoniae through "Community acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin," a toxin exclusively produced by M. pneumoniae that we identified. 

Study the mechanisms by which M. genitalium adheres, internalizes and survives within host cells. In particular, we are interested in understanding how this bacterium exploits host-cell machinery to gain access to the cell, deviating from standard pathways and reach the nucleus.