Burtnick Lab

Mission

Applying multidisciplinary strategies to define the molecular mechanisms used by Burkholderia pseudomallei to persist within host cells to help facilitate the development of novel countermeasures to combat melioidosis.

Key areas of focus

  • Investigating how B. pseudomallei survives and replicates within phagocytic cells.
  • Characterizing the functions of virulence-associated secretion systems.
  • Identifying novel targets to develop vaccines, diagnostics, and immune assays.

Lab team

Mary Burtnick, Ph.D., professor of microbiology and immunology, pursues research focused on identifying the molecular mechanisms used by B. pseudomallei to persist within eukaryotic cells. Specifically, she is interested in determining how the virulence-associated secretion systems expressed by this facultative intracellular pathogen facilitate survival and replication within a variety of phagocytic cell types. The main objective of her research is to use the information gained from these host-pathogen interaction studies to identify novel target antigens that can be used to develop vaccines, diagnostics, and immune assays to combat disease caused by this important bacterial pathogen.

  • Mary Burtnick, Ph.D.: Principal Investigator
  • Jacob Loughry, B.S.: Staff Research Associate II

Notable research findings

  • Characterized mechanisms used by B. pseudomallei to resist the killing action of cationic antimicrobial peptides.
  • Demonstrated that a virulence-associated Type VI secretion system significantly influences the intracellular lifestyle of B. pseudomallei.
  • Contributed to the development of subunit vaccines for immunization against melioidosis.
  • Co-developed rapid, high-accuracy immunoassays to improve diagnosis of melioidosis.
Research Publications

Equipment, technology and techniques

  • QuantStudio 3 Real-Time PCR system
  • Luminex MAGPIX system
  • ImmunoSpot ELISpot Reader
  • BMG FLUOstar Microplate Reader

Active grants and research projects

  1. Analysis of Bacterial Isolates and Tissue Specimens from Thai Melioidosis Patients
    • Award: HDTRA1-21-C-0014
    • Funding organization: Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  2. Formulating and Evaluating Nanolipoprotein Particle-Based Multi-Pathogen Vaccines
    • Award: DTRA 13081-38880
    • Funding organization: Lawrence Livermore National Labs/Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  3. Rapid Assessment of Platform Technologies to Expedite Response (RAPTER)
    • Award: HDTRA1242031
    • Funding organization: Los Alamos National Labs/Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  4. Optimization and Production of Single-Shot Vaccines for Melioidosis and Glanders
    • Award: HDTRA123C0009
    • Funding organization: VitriVax/Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  5. Encapsulation of Vaccine Candidates for Single-Shot Immunization and Vaccine Stability
    • Contract: MCDC2206-008
    • Funding organization: University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center/Medical CBRN Defense Consortium