Nathan Shankar , Ph.D.
President's Associates Presidential Professor
Professor & Vice-Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Research Summary
Research Interests
The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance has brought a new sense of urgency to the discovery and development of antibacterial drugs. Effectively conquering antibiotic resistance will require expanding the available targets. One approach to this problem is to identify new targets by panning the genomes of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Enterococci, Gram-positive bacteria normally growing as commensal organisms of the gut, have emerged as a leading cause of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections and are frequently resistant to multiple antibiotics. Although the ability of Enterococcus faecalis to cause serious disease is well recognized, not much is known about enterococcal virulence factors that contribute to pathogenesis. For instance, factors that may influence the ability of enterococci to colonize host tissues, translocate across epithelial barriers or survive in grossly different host environments are poorly understood.
Our laboratory is interested in the identification of potential virulence determinants in E. faecalis that may play a role in enterococcal pathogenesis, with particular emphasis on enterococcal surface components. Our long term interest is in the development of novel therapeutic approaches to treat serious enterococcal infections by targeting bacterial components that aid the bacteria in causing disease.
Education & Experience
Education
- Osmania University, India B.S. (Hons)
- University of Madras, India M.S.
- University of Madras, India Ph.D.
Professional Experience
- University of Oklahoma HSC - Research Assistant Professor, 1995
- University of Oklahoma HSC - Assistant Professor, 1998
- University of Oklahoma HSC - Associate Professor (Tenured), 2004
- University of Oklahoma HSC - Professor, 2009
Honors & Service
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OUHSC Office of Research Outstanding Research Award 2002
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Regents' Award for Superior Research and Creative Activity 2006
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AACP Academic Leadership Fellow 2007
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President's Associates Presidential Professorship 2008
Selected Publications & Presentations
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McBride SM, Coburn PS, Baghdayan AS, Willems RJL, Grande MJ, Shankar N, Gilmore MS. Genetic variation and evolution of the pathogenicity island of enterococcus faecalis. J Bacteriol 2009; 191(10): 3392-3402.
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Coburn PS, Baghdayan AS, Dolan GT, Shankar N. An AraC-type transcriptional regulator encoded on the Enterococcus faecalis pathogenicity island contributes to pathogenesis and intracellular macrophage survival. Infect Immun 2008; 76: 5668-5676.
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Broedel-Zaugg K, Buring SM, Shankar N, Soltis R, Stamatakis M, Zaiken K, Bradberry JC. Academic pharmacy leaders’ perceptions of core requirements for entry into the professional pharmacy program. Amer J Pharm Edu 2008; 72:1-6.
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Dozmorov MG, Kyker KD, Saban R, Shankar N, Baghdayan AS, Centola MB, Hurst RE. Systems biology approach for mapping the response of human urothelial cells to infection by Enterococcus faecalis. BMC Bioinformatics 2007, Nov 1;8 Suppl. 7:S2.
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Coburn PS, Baghdayan AS, Dolan GT, Shankar N. Horizontal transfer of virulence genes encoded on the Enterococcus faecalis pathogenicity island. Mol Microbiol 2007; 63: 530-544.
Current Grants Awarded
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NIH - Role of E. faecalis Esp in biofilms and UTI
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American Heart Association (AHA) - Role of an AraC-like regulator in Enterococcus faecalis pathogenesis (Fellowship)
Completed Grants
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7/1/2006 - 6/30/2009 - OCAST - Role of pili in enterococcal virulence
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7/1/2003 - 6/30/2006 OCAST - Genome plasticity and mobility in virulent Enterococci
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7/1/2000 - 6/30/2003 AHA - Role of Esp in endocarditis