Denise M. Monack
Academic Appointments
- Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Immunology
Contact Information
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Academic Offices
Personal Information Email Tel (650) 725-1756Administrative Contact Sara Fisher Email
Professional Snapshot
Honors and Awards
- Sidney Raffel Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in Graduate Study, Stanford University (2001)
- Terman Fellowship, Terman Fellows Program (10/1/08-9/30/11)
- Baxter Faculty Scholar Award, Baxter Foundation (May 2008)
Professional Education
| Ph.D.: | Stanford University, Microbiology & Immunology (2002) |
Postdoctoral Advisees
Scientific Focus
Research Interests
The primary focus of my research is to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms of intracellular bacterial pathogenesis. We use two model systems, Salmonella typhimurium and Francisella tularensis, to study the complex host-pathogen interactions.
Both of these organisms survive and multiply in macrophages, an important immune effector cell. Macrophages express Pattern Recognition Receptors on the surface as well as in the cytosol. My laboratory focuses on the cytosolic recognition of bacteria that leads to Type I Interferon signaling and Inflammasome activation. We take both a genetic and biochemical approach to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in host recognition pathways leading to inflammation and pathogen evasion mechanisms.
Salmonella typhi causes the systemic disease typhoid fever and Francisella tularensis causes the systemic disease tularemia (“rabbit fever”). Utilizing mouse models of systemic salmonellosis and tularemia, we would like to understand how Salmonella persists within certain hosts for years in the face of a robust immune response and how F. tularensis, a stealth invader, can cause a rapid, lethal infection.
Publications
- Identification of fevR, a novel regulator of virulence gene expression in Francisella novicida. Infect Immun. 2008; (8): 3473-80
- Host transmission of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is controlled by virulence factors and indigenous intestinal microbiota. Infect Immun. 2008; (1): 403-16
- Activation of the inflammasome upon Francisella tularensis infection: interplay of innate immune pathways and virulence factors. Cell Microbiol. 2007; (11): 2543-51
- Type I interferon signaling is required for activation of the inflammasome during Francisella infection. J Exp Med. 2007; (5): 987-94
- In vivo negative selection screen identifies genes required for Francisella virulence. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007; (14): 6037-42
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