Dr. Faulkner studies how bacterial cells protect themselves against stressful conditions, in particular oxidative stress. Organisms that live in the presence of oxygen (including humans!) generate toxic oxygen-containing molecules such as hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, our immune systems produce similar toxic oxygen species to combat bacterial infections. These reactive oxygen molecules damage enzymes and membranes, and may cause mutation or even cell death. Thus, the ability of cells, both microbial and human, to sense these damaging molecules and respond to them with an appropriate antioxidant defense is vital for their survival. In the laboratory, we are using molecular genetic techniques to investigate the enzymes and regulatory mechanisms used by bacteria to survive under conditions of oxidative stress.

BIO, Life Sciences, Molecules to Cells, Biotechnology and Society, General Microbiology, Advanced Microbiology