Faculty

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 engage in social behavior, altruism, and predation. During vegetative growth groups of cells live in a multicellular biofilm community where they prey on other bacteria for food. When deprived of nutrients 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 uses the Dif chemosensory system to organize the dimensions of the fruiting body. We use genetics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biochemistry to study the signal transduction pathways.

Publications:
Goldman, B., Bhat, S., and Shimkets, L.J. 2007. Genome evolution and the emergence of fruiting body development in Myxococcus xanthus. PLoS One 2(12):e1329.

Curtis, P.D., Taylor, R.G., Welch, R.D., and Shimkets, L.J. 2007. Spatial organization of Myxococcus xanthus during fruiting body formation. J. Bacteriol. 189:9126-9130.

Moraleda-Munoz, A., and Shimkets, L.J. 2007. Lipolytic enzymes in Myxococcus xanthus. J. Bacteriol. 189:3072-3080.