SHIKUMA LAB RESEARCH

'Death Stars' from Bacteria 
​We discovered that bacteria produce tiny molecular syringes that inject toxins into animal cells. These syringes could someday be harnessed for biotechnology purposes to deliver therapeutics to human cells.

Learn more:
Rocchi et al. Cell Reports 2019 
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Ericson et al. eLife 2019

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Molecular Syringes from Human Gut Bacteria
We discovered that the gut microbiomes of nearly all human adults (>99%) from the United States and Europe carry a previously undescribed Contractile Injection System. Our central hypothesis that this new Injection System family comprise a key means of interaction between microbiome bacteria and human host.

Learn more:
Rojas et al. 2020 mSystems

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Bacteria-Induced Metamorphosis 
​Some bacteria stimulate the life-cycle transition of metamorphosis for animals like tubeworms and corals. This phenomenon is critical for coral reef formation and causes the costly accumulation of encrusting organisms on the hulls of ships (i.e., biofouling). Our research focuses on the molecular interactions that mediate this bacteria-stimulated development. 

​Learn More: 
​Shikuma 2016 PNAS

Cavalcanti et al. 2021 Annual Review of Microbiology 

​Shikuma 2021 mSystems 

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Our Research is Funded By The Following Organizations

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