Investigators and Program Directors

Research Interests

The focus of this laboratory is the development of molecular diagnostics for bacterial pathogens. The diagnostics include rapid identification using conventional and real-time PCR-based assays. Additionally, we are involved in researching sequence-based methods for speciation and typing of bacterial pathogens including the development of databases to enhance the diagnostic and typing processes. We are also interested in molecular diagnostic assays that characterize the bacteria of interest to determine if genes that confer pathogenicity or antibiotic resistance are present and whether they are expressed. Finally, we are actively proceeding with the development of nucleic acid extraction procedures for clinical and environmental specimen types, and PCR inhibition analyses.

Projects in our laboratory have included conventional and real-time PCR assay detection of the following: vancomycin-resistance enterococci (VRE), Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-resistant), E.coli O157:H7, Corynebacterium diphtheria toxin genes, Legionella spp., Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium botulinum toxin genes, Leptospira spp., and Yersinia pestis.

Contact Information

E-mail: musser@wadsworth.org