Phillip E. Klebba

Dr. Phillip E. Klebba is a University Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Kansas State University. His research focuses on iron acquisition mechanisms in bacterial pathogens and their role in disease progression, virulence, and antibiotic development.

• Education: B.S. in Biology (1975, University of Notre Dame); Ph.D. in Biochemistry (1982, University of California-Berkeley).
• Affiliation: Kansas State University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics; Johnson Cancer Research Center.

Research Interests: Dr. Klebba investigates iron metabolism in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, particularly how pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli exploit iron for survival. His work on TonB-dependent transporters and sortase-anchored heme receptors aims to disrupt these pathways for novel antibiotic strategies and cancer therapy. Additional studies include biophysical analyses of membrane transport and microbial susceptibility in cancer patients.

Publication Trends: His recent articles (2007-2016) emphasize iron transport in Listeria and E. coli, structural and functional analysis of TonB-dependent systems, heme acquisition in Gram-positives, and applications in drug discovery and nanotechnology. Collaborations span international institutions in France, Ireland, and Brazil.

Scientific Awards & Honors:

• Burroughs-Wellcome Scholar (2011-2012)
• Fulbright Research Scholar (2002-2003)
• ASM International Professorship (2001)
• Evelyn Neizer Post-Doctoral Award (1981)
• Sigma Xi Research Award (1975)
• Phillipe Foundation International Scholar (1993, 2002)

Grants & Professional Service: His work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, American Society for Microbiology, Fulbright Scholars Program, Phillipe Foundation, and Burroughs-Wellcome Fund. He served on the Conseil Scientifique of the Franco-American Fulbright Commission (2002-2003) and held research appointments at INSERM and CNRS in France.

Laboratory & Collaborations: The Laboratory of Iron Transport at Kansas State University leads mechanistic studies on bacterial iron uptake, with applications in antibiotic discovery and cancer research. The team collaborates globally, including institutions in Brazil and France.