Yasu Morita

Yasu Morita is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His research focuses on mycobacterial physiology, particularly lipid biosynthesis, cell envelope integrity, and host-pathogen interactions.

• Institution: University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Department: Microbiology
• Contact: ymorita@umass.edu | (413) 545-4604

Research Interests: Morita’s work investigates how mycobacteria regulate membrane compartmentalization, glycolipid biosynthesis (e.g., PimE mannosyltransferase), and stress adaptation mechanisms. He explores connections between lipid metabolism, cell division, and pathogenicity.

Article Trends: Recent publications analyze Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis models, emphasizing lipids like lipoarabinomannan and tuberculostearic acid in cell wall integrity, stress responses, and immune modulation. Techniques include lipidomics, transcriptomics, and nanoemulsion-based therapies.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Parasitology, Johns Hopkins University (2000)