Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Division of Infectious Diseases
Faculty Profiles
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The Faculty of the Division of Infectious Diseases is composed of investigators focused on examining the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and virulence factor expression which are integral to infections originating from the vascular compartment, as well as host tissue response and antimicrobial defense against fungal and bacterial pathogenesis. Although diverse in scope, many of these studies are complementary and share the common goal of defining new strategies for preventing or controlling serious infections through advances in understanding host defense.
John E. Edwards, Jr., M.D. Professor of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine
Chief, Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Dr. Edwards has devoted the majority of his career to studying the pathogenesis and therapy of fungal infectious diseases, principally those caused by Candida albicans. He has been committed to research on both cellular and sub-cellular mechanisms of antimicrobial host defense for over twenty years. Recently, Dr. Edwards and his group have focused their research efforts on determining the specific ligands which mediate Candida interactions with host cells. The ultimate goals of this line of investigation are to delineate the interaction among C. albicans, endothelial cells, and neutrophils. These interactions determine how Candida penetrates the vascular compartment to invade deeper parenchymal tissues. For instance, his group has established a C. albicans DNA library in Saccharomyces cerevisae, an organism which does not normally adhere well to host cells. This work is being conducted in part through a Mycology Research Unit (NIH P01) entitled Candida adherence, that involves the laboratories of Dr. Tom Kozel, University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. John Cutler, University of Montana, Dr. William Fonzi, Georgetown University. Dr. Edwards and Dr. Filler (below) are also coordinating activities of the Candida subproject of the NIAID Mycoses Study Group (MSG). This group facilitates national cooperative clinical studies with the aim of improving prevention and treatment of life-threatening candidal infections. Dr. Edwards also chairs the NIAID advisory panel on chronic Lyme Disease.
Arnold S. Bayer, M.D. Professor of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine
Associate Chief, Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Dr. Bayer has focused his career thus far on investigating the pathogenesis and treatment of bacterial infectious diseases, with emphasis on infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. His current research focus is directed toward determining the mechanism of action of thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein-1 (tPMP-1) from rabbit platelets. He has also been involved in previous studies to determine interactions of bacteria and fungi with mammalian platelets, and expression of virulence factors in these pathogens which enhance their ability to cause endovascular infections. The NIH-funded research Dr. Bayer is now conducting focuses on characterizing the interactions between tPMP-1 and staphylococcal membranes, to discern the following parameters: binding and insertion into the membrane, characterization of functional complex assembly and size, and ion selectivity of peptide-induced channels. Thus, his work has the long-term potential to identify novel antimicrobial targets in intravascular pathogens, which may be subject to interventional therapeutic strategies.
Scott G. Filler, M.D. Assistant Professor of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
The research program that Dr. Filler has been organized has as its central focus the consequences of the interaction among Candida, vascular endothelial cells, and neutrophils. His studies have aimed to define the specific ways in which Candida causes endothelial cell damage, and the precise molecular responses of damaged endothelial cells. His research, funded by the NIH, American Heart Association, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical agencies, has recently shown that endothelial cells stimulated with Candida are provoked to internalize the pathogen, while simultaneously releasing several inflammatory intermediates (eg., prostaglandins), as well as immunomodulatory cytokines (eg., interleukins 6 and 8 (IL-6 and IL-8). These molecules may be crucial in recruiting complementary host defense components, such as neutrophils, which may prevent deep tissue invasion by the pathogen. In examining the responses of endothelium to Candida, as well as the effects these responses may have on neutrophil function, Dr. Filler aims to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which endothelial cells modulate host immune response to this organism. This information may ultimately lead to new ways to prevent or treat serious infections due to Candida or other fungal pathogens.
Michael R. Yeaman, M.Sc., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Dr. Yeaman has focused his prior and current research interests on the relationship between microbial pathogenesis and host defense. He has studied the mechanisms of intracellular killing of microbial pathogens by macrophages and neutrophils, the structures and mechanisms of action of antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides, the role of virulence factors in pathogenesis of infections, and the interactions between bacterial and fungal pathogens with eukaryotic cells. He is trained in classical microbial pathogenesis, protein and peptide chemistry and synthesis, and flow cytometry. Dr. Yeaman presently focuses his NIH (NIAID), American Heart Association, and industry-supported research on defining structure-activity correlations in natural and synthetic antimicrobial peptides. These agents have the potential to be developed as therapeutic agents for treatment of infections caused by bacterial or fungal pathogens which exhibit multiple resistance to conventional antibiotics. Thus, the ultimate goals of his research are to develop novel agents and approaches to preventing or treating life-threatening infections.