Jonathan Dworkin, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Immunology Ph.D., Rockefeller University Phone: 212-342-3731 Fax: 212-305-1468 Email: jed2113@columbia.edu

Research

Over the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that bacterial cells have a high degree of cellular organization. Particular regions of the chromosome and particular proteins have specific (and dynamic) patterns of localization within the cell. Using the endospore-forming bacterium Bacillus subtilis, we employ fluorescence microscopy techniques including FRAP and FRET to address how these patterns are generated and maintained. In particular we are interested in how biosynthetic complexes are organized and are examing the pathway of peptidoglycan synthesis as a model system. We are also examining the role of peptidoglycan modifications in the interactions with host degradative enzymes and signaling molecules. Finally, we are actively pursuing our recent finding that muropeptides derived from peptidoglycan function as an inter-bacterial signal that stimulates bacterial exit from dormancy.

Recent and Notable Articles