The Lee lab is interested in host-pathogen interactions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen. One focus of the lab is to understand the molecular regulation of signaling by low molecular weight metabolites and pharmaceuticals. We have recently developed a high-throughput assay to quantitatively measure protein-ligand interaction that we call Differential Radial Capillary Action of Ligand Assay (DRaCALA).  We are systematically characterizing the binding proteins of cyclic-di-GMP signaling nucleotide by testing interaction with each and every open reading frame (ORFeome). We are also utilizing similar methodologies to identify small molecular inhibitors of the signaling pathway we uncover in order to develop lead compounds for therapeutic intervention of infection. The second focus of the lab is to understand the ability of P. aeruginosa to cause chronic opportunistic infections. We are utilizing a model of chronic catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) to uncover the virulence factors of P. aeruginosa mediating these long-term infections. Our goal is to utilize findings from each project to understand the ability of P. aeruginosa to be a successful opportunistic pathogen.

Updated June 2025