Tuan M. Tran

Dr. Tuan M. Tran is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of South Alabama, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on molecular plant-microbe interactions, membrane biology, lipidomics, and bacterial pathogenesis. Tran earned his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2016) and a B.A. in Biotechnology from Ho Chi Minh City University of Science (2007). His lab investigates how plant plasma membrane nanodomains mediate immune signaling and how bacterial pathogens form biofilms to infect hosts. Recent work includes studies on DSF quorum sensing and biofilm mechanics in Ralstonia species.

• Education: Ph.D. 2016 (UW-Madison), B.A. 2007 (Ho Chi Minh City University)
• Labs: Tran Lab (Life Sciences Building 42)
• Courses: BLY 302 Genetics, BLY 411 Developmental Biology

Research interests emphasize interdisciplinary approaches combining genetics, biochemistry, and advanced microscopy to dissect plant defense mechanisms and pathogen strategies. The lab is currently recruiting MS students and focuses on topics like salicylic acid signaling, plasmodesmata closure, and bacterial quorum sensing.

Key grants and funding are not explicitly listed, but his work has been published in high-impact journals like Cell Reports and Science. Articles highlight discoveries in biofilm dynamics, plant immune signaling, and bacterial virulence mechanisms.