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Barbara  J.  Mann
Degree(s): Ph.D.
Graduate School: University of Virginia
Primary Appointment: Associate Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and International Health
Research Interests:
Pathogenicity of Francisella tularensis and vaccines

Email Address: bjm2r@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases
  • Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Molecular Medicine
    • Research Description

    Research Interests

    My research interests focus on the initial interactions between the pathogenic bacteria Francisella tularensis and its host. I am specifically interested in adherence and invasion mechanisms, and protective vaccines. F. tularensis has been designated as a category A select agent for studies in Biodefense Research.

    Francisella tularensis is a zoonotic infection that can be contracted by several methods including tick bites and inhalation. The low infection dose of 10-50 organisms by an inhalation route led to its development as an agent of biological warfare. The molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity of this gram negative, intracellular bacteria are largely unknown. We are using combined approaches that include bioinformatics, and mutagenesis to identify proteins that mediate adherence to and invasion of host cells. We are also screening for attenuated strains that may be useful as protective vaccines.

    Selected Publications
  • Qin A, Scott DW, Thompson JA, Mann BJ. Identification of an essential Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis virulence factor. Infect Immun. 2009 77(1):152-61.
  • Qin A, Scott DW, Mann BJ. Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis Schu S4 disulfide bond formation protein B, but not an RND-type efflux pump, is required for virulence. Infect Immun. 2008 76(7):3086-92.
  • Qin A, Mann BJ. Identification of transposon insertion mutants of Francisella tularensis tularensis strain Schu S4 deficient in intracellular replication in the hepatic cell line HepG2. BMC Microbiol. 2006 Jul 31;6:69.
  • Hughes MA, Lee CW, Holm CF, Ghosh S, Mills A, Lockhart LA, Reed SL, Mann BJ. Identification of Entamoeba histolytica thiol-specific antioxidant as a GalNAc lectin-associated protein. Mol Biochem Parasitol. 2003 Apr 3;127(2):113-20.
  • PubMed Listings for this Faculty Member
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 801364, MR-4 Building, 2156, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-9666
      Fax Phone: +1 434-924-0075

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