معرفی
Eric Krukonis is an Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Research at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, where he is affiliated with the Division of Integrated Biomedical Sciences. He teaches oral microbiology and infection control to Dental Hygiene students, as well as oral microbiology, infection control, and infectious diseases to Dental students and current topics in microbiology to Residents in Periodontology, Endodontics and Orthodontics.
Dr. Krukonis received his BA in Biology from Rice University in 1990 and his PhD in Molecular Biology and Microbiology from Tufts University in 1998. He joined the faculty of Detroit Mercy Dental in 2013 after completing his postdoctoral training.
Dr. Krukonis's research focuses on two main areas: dental microbiology and bacterial pathogenesis. His dental research investigates the etiology of root caries in geriatric populations, infection control in the dental clinic, and characterizing antimicrobial properties of essential oil products. In his laboratory research, he studies the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis by the medical pathogens Vibrio cholerae (the causative agent of cholera) and Yersinia pestis (the causative agent of plague). Both organisms serve as model systems for understanding infectious disease mechanisms. His work on Vibrio cholerae examines the regulation of virulence gene expression, particularly the mechanisms controlling cholera toxin production. His research on Yersinia pestis focuses on understanding how this pathogen delivers cytotoxic proteins to host cells and survives in human blood during plague infection.
Analysis of Dr. Krukonis's recent publications reveals a strong focus on bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms, particularly the molecular interactions between pathogens and host cells. His work spans from basic molecular mechanisms of virulence regulation in Vibrio cholerae to applied dental microbiology research on root caries and infection control. A significant portion of his research examines the Ail protein of Yersinia pestis and its role in serum resistance, cell binding, and virulence. His more recent work has expanded into dental applications, examining microbial communities in root caries and potential new intracanal medicaments.
Dr. Krukonis has secured research funding from the NIH Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) for his project "Ail-mediated serum resistance in Yersinia pestis and its contribution to plague virulence," as well as internal funding from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry for "Explorations in Bacterial Pathogenesis." He also participates in research on "Isolation of bacteriophages that target and kill dental pathogens."
Dr. Krukonis has advised numerous students throughout his career, including dental students, periodontics residents, dental hygiene students, and undergraduate researchers. His laboratory has trained postdoctoral fellows, laboratory technicians, and dental students who have gone on to successful careers in academia, clinical practice, and industry. Current lab members include Dr. Sarah Plecha (Postdoctoral Fellow), laboratory technicians, and several dental students. His mentoring has helped launch the careers of many professionals now practicing dentistry, conducting research, or pursuing medical degrees.
The Krukonis Laboratory maintains active research programs in both dental microbiology and bacterial pathogenesis. The laboratory utilizes molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemical techniques to investigate the mechanisms of bacterial virulence and host-pathogen interactions. Current research projects include understanding the microbiology of root caries in geriatric patients, defining pathogenic mechanisms of Yersinia pestis, and investigating regulation of virulence gene expression in Vibrio cholerae.
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