Biological Sciences
Dr. Maria Scott
Assistant Professor
E-mail: maria.scott@wmich.edu
Office: 3433 Wood Hall
Lab: 2009 Haenicke Hall
Office Phone: 269-387-5629
Lab phone: 269-387-2082
Research Description
Area of Research: Microbial Pathogenesis
I am an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences with training
in microbial pathogenesis. In my laboratory we use Vibrio cholerae
as a model to study protein secretion. Protein transport across
the double membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is important because
some secreted products play a major role in fomenting bacterial
infections. For example, Vibrio cholerae transports cholera toxin
into the intestine of its host via the type II secretion system
causing catastrophic illness and sometimes death. V. cholerae
is still a leading cause of death worldwide. Consequently, we
investigate how the type II apparatus assembles to support secretion
of cholera toxin. Our previous work showed that the functional
type II apparatus was located predominantly at the old pole of
the V. cholerae cell. One of the main research efforts of the
laboratory is to ascertain how the components of this multi-molecular
complex are directed to the pole, assemble, and remain at the
old pole. We are using molecular biological methods and fluorescent
microscopy to answer some of these questions.