Christopher S. Hayes

Christopher S. Hayes is a Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He holds a B.A. in Biology and M.S. in Applied Immunology from the University of Southern Maine, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. His postdoctoral training at MIT focused on cancer research before joining UC Santa Barbara in 2004.

Dr. Hayes' research investigates bacterial intercellular competition mechanisms, particularly the structural and functional aspects of antibacterial toxin delivery systems. His lab studies how bacteria use specialized secretion systems like CDI (contact-dependent growth inhibition) and type VI secretion systems to target competitors. Key interests include toxin-immunity protein polymorphism, self/nonself discrimination, and translational applications in antimicrobial therapies.

His recent work focuses on proteolytic processing of toxins, lipidation of effector proteins, and the proton-motive force’s role in toxin translocation. The lab employs structural biology, genetics, and biochemistry to elucidate these systems' molecular mechanisms.

Notable achievements include identifying CDI toxin delivery pathways and characterizing novel antibacterial toxins like the tRNA-cleaving enzyme. His research has implications for developing next-generation antimicrobial strategies against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Lab: The Hayes Lab at UC Santa Barbara focuses on intercellular bacterial conflict mechanisms. Collaborations include work with the Low Lab at UCSB and structural biology groups (e.g., Joachimiak, Goulding). Funding sources include NIH grants and institutional support.