معرفی
Tobias Doerr is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Microbiology at Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He is based at the Weill Institute for Cell & Molecular Biology in 361 Weill Hall, Ithaca, NY.
Dr. Doerr's research focuses on bacterial cell envelope biology, with particular emphasis on understanding how bacteria build and maintain their cell walls and resist killing by antibiotics. His work spans four main areas: regulation of cell wall hydrolases, mechanisms of beta-lactam antibiotic tolerance, cell wall stress sensing pathways, and outer membrane permeability barriers. Using bacterial genetics, biochemistry and cell biology approaches, his lab studies these processes primarily in Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera.
Analysis of Dr. Doerr's recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on peptidoglycan remodeling enzymes, antibiotic tolerance mechanisms, and the interplay between bacterial metabolism and antibiotic susceptibility. His work frequently explores how cell wall hydrolases are regulated to prevent autolysis while permitting growth, and how pathogens like V. cholerae and Klebsiella pneumoniae develop tolerance to critical antibiotics.
Scientific awards and recognition include:
- Immunology center multidisciplinary seed grants (2025)
- $750K intercampus research award (2021)
Dr. Doerr actively mentors a diverse research team including postdoctoral researchers, graduate students across multiple programs, and undergraduate researchers. His lab has received funding supporting investigations into bacterial cell wall biology and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Current research directions include understanding how mechanical forces influence bacterial gene expression and how metabolic states affect antibiotic efficacy.
The Doerr Lab maintains active collaborations across Cornell University and beyond, with research spanning fundamental bacterial physiology to translational applications in combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
