معرفی
Dara W. Frank is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), conducting research on bacterial pathogenesis with emphasis on Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence mechanisms. Her laboratory is housed in the Translational and Biomedical Research Center (TBRC C3960) in Milwaukee.
Dr. Frank earned her PhD from the University of Texas, Austin in 1984. Her foundational training established the trajectory for her career investigating microbial toxins and host-pathogen interactions.
Her research program centers on P. aeruginosa type III secretion system (T3SS) effectors, particularly the phospholipase ExoU activated by host ubiquitin. Current work examines how T3SS toxins (ExoS, ExoT, ExoY, ExoU) disrupt host cellular processes, inhibit phagocytosis, and promote bacterial survival in compromised hosts. The lab investigates molecular mechanisms of toxin action using structural biology, cell-based assays, and infection models to understand how bacterial virulence factors drive pathology in pneumonia and transplant complications.
Publications from 2020-2025 reveal consistent focus on T3SS effectors, with expanding investigations into related pathogens like Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Research integrates biochemical, structural, and physiological approaches to dissect toxin-host interactions, revealing mechanisms of endothelial damage, immune evasion, and organ dysfunction. Key themes include phospholipase activation, cyclic nucleotide signaling, and LPS transport systems.
The Frank Laboratory maintains active research operations with personnel including Research Technologist Molly Riegert. Current projects examine ExoU-ubiquitin interactions, bacterial membrane dynamics, and host inflammatory responses to infection, utilizing techniques such as EPR spectroscopy, molecular modeling, and murine infection models.
