Barbara  J.  Mann
Degree(s): PhD
Graduate School: University of Virginia
Primary Appointment: Associate Professor, Medicine, Infectious Diseases and International Health
Research Interests:
Pathogenicity of Francisella tularensis and vaccines
Email Address: bjm2r@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Biomedical Sciences Graduate Programs
    • 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, Rabideau MM, Moore EA, Mann BJ. Requirement of the CXXC motif of novel Francisella infectivity potentiator protein B FipB, and FipA in virulence of F. tularensis subsp. tularensis. PLoS One. 2011;6(9):e24611. Epub 2011 Sep 8.
  • Ark NM, Mann BJ.Impact of Francisella tularensis pilin homologs on pilus formation and virulence.Microb Pathog. 2011 Sep;51(3):110-20. Epub 2011 May 13.
  • Qin A, Scott DW, Thompson JA, Mann BJ.Identification of an essential Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis virulence factor. Infect Immun. 2009 Jan;77(1):152-61.
  • 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.
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 801364 Carter-Harrison, Room 1715, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-9666
      Fax Phone: +1 434-924-0075

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