The Zhang Research Laboratory

Research in our laboratory focuses on foodborne human pathogen, Campylobacter jejuni. We are using fundamental and contemporary approaches to i) investigate the ecology of Campylobacter in animal reservoirs, ii) examine the molecular mechanisms associated with the development and persistence of antibiotic resistance in Campylobacter and the effect of antibiotic resistance on Campylobacter pathogenesis, iii) define the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in Campylobacter-host interactions, and iv) develop effective means for the control of Campylobacter infections. These studies involve multidisciplinary approaches ranging from molecular/genetic studies, functional genomics, and animal models to field epidemiology. Our research program involves undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and research scientists, and is supported by funds from the National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Frank Ramsey Chair Endowment.