Zach Dalebroux

Assistant Professor-department of Microbiology & Immunology @University Of Oklahoma Health Campus

Oklahoma City, OK, US

The Gram-negative bacterial cell envelope comprises an inner and outer membrane (OM) separated by a periplasmic space containing a thin layer of peptidoglycan, which is bound to the OM by lipoproteins. The OM acts as a permeability barrier allowing bacteria to selectively control the passage of ions and molecules into and out of the cell, including antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides. Mechanisms for the export and assembly of many of the molecular components of the Gram-negative bacterial OM have been studied. By contrast, how bacteria transport, assemble, and remodel OM-glycerophospholipids for barrier function and cell growth has remained mystery. My research laboratory will interogate (i) how OM-glycerophospholipids are regulated for bacterial survival and resistance to stress,(ii) the mechanisms of membrane lipid trafficking and remodeling necessary for bacterial growth and survival during infection and how OM- glycerophospholipids interact with the protein, lipid A, and polysaccharide components of the OM to promote bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the innate immune system.

University of Michigan

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Microbiology and Immunology

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bacteriology