Lindsey N. Shaw

Lindsey N. Shaw serves as Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology at the University of South Florida, where she leads research on bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus anthracis.

Her research program focuses on dissecting the complex regulatory networks governing virulence in S. aureus—a leading cause of global nosocomial infections—through molecular analysis of DNA-binding proteins, two-component systems, sigma factors, and quorum sensing mechanisms. This work addresses critical challenges in antibiotic resistance, including glycopeptide-resistant strains, while also investigating B. anthracis spore biology and pathogenesis to counter bioterrorism threats. Her laboratory employs genetic and molecular approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets for combating multidrug-resistant infections.

Publication trends reveal sustained emphasis on S. aureus biofilm dynamics, with key contributions examining sarA-agr epistasis, sigma factor roles in stress responses, and molecular basis of biofilm-deficient phenotypes. These studies collectively advance understanding of virulence regulation and provide foundations for next-generation antimicrobial strategies targeting regulatory pathways rather than bacterial growth.

Dr. Shaw maintains an active research laboratory at USF dedicated to molecular dissection of bacterial pathogenesis, utilizing advanced genetic techniques to elucidate mechanisms that enable these pathogens to establish infections and evade host defenses.