David J. Bzik, PhD
Title(s)
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Department(s)
Microbiology and Immunology
Education
Pennsylvania State University, PHD 1983
Pennsylvania State University, MS 1980
Lehigh University, BA 1977
Dr. Bzik received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Lehigh University in 1977, and his Ph.D. degree in Biophysics from the Pennsylvania State University in 1983. After postdoctoral work as a European Molecular Biology Organization long-term fellow at the MRC Virology Unit at Glasgow University, Dr. Bzik joined the faculty of the Department of Microbiology at Dartmouth Medical School in 1988.
Programs
Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Programs
Websites
http:
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Contact Information
Dartmouth Medical School
Borwell Research Bldg. HB 7556
1 Medical Center Drive
Lebanon NH 03756
Phone: 603-650-7951
Fax: 603-650-6223
Email: David.J.Bzik@Dartmouth.EDU
Professional Interests
GENETIC ANALYSIS OF HOST-PARASITE INTERACTIONS
Our major research interests involve the molecular mechanisms of parasite pathogenesis. We focus on the protozoan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum. These apicomplexan parasites represent a paradigm of obligate intracellular infectious disease agents. Plasmodium falciparum causes a devastating form of human malaria which infects vast numbers of people and causes significant morbidity (adults and children) and mortality (mainly children). Toxoplasma gondii infection causes severe congenital defects in infants and death in HIV/AIDS patients. Current research projects include the following: developmental regulation of parasite virulence factors; identification of new parasite virulence determinants; development of new tools to facilitate genetic analysis of parasite pathogens; mechanisms, regulation and drug discovery in pyrimidine and purine acquisition pathways; design of vaccine components based on secreted antigens; novel parasite enzymes: mechanisms, regulation and drug discovery; creation and evaluation of live attenuated parasite vaccines; taming and targeting parasites for cancer gene therapy. Visit the Molecular Pathogenesis Website.
Cutting Edge: CD36 Mediates Phagocyte Tropism and Avirulence of Toxoplasma gondii. A Family of Toxoplasma gondii Genes Related to GRA12 Regulate Cyst Burdens and Cyst Reactivation. Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein GRA24 drives MyD88-independent p38 MAPK activation, IL-12 production and induction of protective immunity. Succinylated Wheat Germ Agglutinin Colocalizes with the Toxoplasma gondii Cyst Wall Glycoprotein CST1. A simple and reliable method for determination of optimum pH in coupled enzyme assays. Toxoplasma gondii Parasitophorous Vacuole Membrane-Associated Dense Granule Proteins Regulate Maturation of the Cyst Wall. Toxoplasma gondii Intravacuolar-Network-Associated Dense Granule Proteins Regulate Maturation of the Cyst Matrix and Cyst Wall. Rhoptry and Dense Granule Secreted Effectors Regulate CD8(+) T Cell Recognition of Toxoplasma gondii Infected Host Cells. Toxoplasma gondii Parasitophorous Vacuole Membrane-Associated Dense Granule Proteins Orchestrate Chronic Infection and GRA12 Underpins Resistance to Host Gamma Interferon. CD40 in Endothelial Cells Restricts Neural Tissue Invasion by Toxoplasma gondii. |
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