Infectious Disease & Pathology Research

 

At Houston Methodist, our investigators follow many areas of leading-edge infectious disease research — molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, human genetics of susceptibility to infectious agents, vaccine development, and prevention of hospital-acquired infections — to discover innovations that improve clinical practice. We conduct our research in state-of-the-art facilities using genome-wide analysis methods and high-throughput technologies.

Dedicated to Fighting Disease and Pathogens

Our rapidly growing division encompasses an internationally diverse team of researchers, educators and clinicians dedicated to mitigating the threat of infectious diseases and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the Division of Infectious Diseases’ dedication to public health and the prevention of infectious disease outbreaks. In line with this dedication, we launched the Center for Infectious Diseases to provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to patients, as well as research and education opportunities for Houston Methodist faculty.

Directed by James Musser, MD, PhD and co-directed by Cesar Arias MD, MSc, PhD, the Center aims to be exceptionally well prepared and equipped for pandemics and the emergence of novel pathogens, including antimicrobial resistant microbes. To meet this goal, the Center collaborates with a wide range of faculty at Houston Methodist, including the Center for Outcomes Research and the Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutics.

Current laboratories of the Center for Infectious Diseases include:

  • Laboratory for Antimicrobial Research (PI: Cesar Arias, MD, MSc, PhD): Projects span from basic molecular mechanisms of resistance, including microbial biochemistry, genomics and microbiome science, to clinical trials that are conducted within the Division of Infectious Diseases.

  • Laboratory for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research (PI: James Musser, MD, PhD): Areas of interest include molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, human genetics of susceptibility to infectious agents, vaccinology, and a diverse range of pathogens and the diseases they cause, including group A Streptococcus, group B Streptococcus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Staphylococcus aureus.

  • Laboratory of Antibody Discovery & Accelerated Protein Therapeutics (ADAPT lab) (PI: Jimmy Gollihar, PhD): The work in ADAPT encompasses a broad range of engineering biology, from the design of simple genetic parts and circuits to protein engineering and industrial biomanufacturing. Current projects include genomic surveillance and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 and engineering of enzymes intended for mRNA vaccine manufacturing.
     

Recent Highlights
Our facilities include a biosafety level 3 laboratory, confocal microscopes, gene expression microarray biochip stations and ABI sequencing capabilities. Our researchers help combat the tremendous toll infectious diseases take on human morbidity and mortality by exploring a diverse range of pathogens, including Streptococcus A and B, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Staphylococcus aureus, to name a few.
Unveiling the Secret Life of Flesh-Eating Bacteria
Houston Methodist infectious disease researchers created a genetic roadmap of how group A strep causes flesh-eating disease.
Rapid TB Screening Nanofilms: nanotraps

Precisely engineered technology uses silica nanopore thin films to isolate Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens in clinical samples for rapid TB screening.

James Musser, MD, PhD Becomes FASEB President

James Musser, MD, PhD, is the 2018-2019 president of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB).

hurricane
Hope for Hurricane Victim of Flesh-Eating Bacteria
Houston Methodist researchers offer hope for treatment of flesh-eating bacteria contracted from hurricane floodwaters.

65

Peer-reviewed Publications in 2023

44

Active Clinical Protocols

24

Full-Time Faculty

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