Faculty

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Lawrence J. Shimkets, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology
Ph.D. (1980) University of Minnesota

Address: Department of Microbiology
816 Biological Sciences
Athens, GA 30602-2605
E-mail: shimkets@uga.edu
COS CV: http://myprofile.cos.com/shimketd69
PubMed: shimkets lj

Research Interests:
Genetics and physiology of myxobacteria
Myxobacteria are one of the most ancient groups of organisms to exhibit multicellularity and engage in social behavior. Though they are members of the Proteobacteria, their large genome size and unusual social behaviors suggest a complex evolutionary history. During vegetative growth groups of cells live in a multicellular biofilm community where they prey on other bacteria as a food source. When deprived of nutrients myxobacteria initiate a developmental cycle in which tens of thousands of cells build a fruiting body containing myxospores. Developing cells respond to a variety of cell-cell signals to activate developmental genes according to a temporal and spatial program prescribed in the DNA. We study two contact-dependent cell-cell signaling systems with Myxococcus xanthus. One utilizes the CsgA (C signaling) protein, which acts as a developmental timer to couple gene expression with morphological development. The other signaling system utilizes phosphatidylethanolamine containing the fatty acid C16:1?5c as a chemoattractant. The extracellular matrix helps to process information concerning the phospholipid composition of adjacent cells. We use genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry to study the signal transduction pathways.