Research
Main Projects
Clostridioides difficile adaptation to stressC. difficile is a bacterial pathogen that infects the large intestines. To cause disease, C. difficile must colonize the intestines, compete with the normal resident microbiota, and resist the host immune response. We are interested in understanding what stresses C. difficile encounters in the intestines and how those stresses affect C. difficile metabolism and growth.
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The gut microbiota and oxygenThe intestines represent a dynamic environment that contain hundreds of bacterial species. This environment is considered anoxic (lacks oxygen) and the bacteria in the intestines are thus adapted to grow without oxygen. However, inflammation of the intestines, either through infection or immune-mediated diseases, leads to an increase in the amount of oxygen in the intestines. We study how changes in oxygen affect the physiology of the normal bacteria in the intestines, with a focus on Gram-positive Clostridia.
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Uncovering ecological relationships between microbes in fermented foods
Yeast and bacteria are responsible for transforming bland or inedible ingredients into delicious, safe foods through the process of fermentation. In foods that are fermented with multiple microbes, complex interactions between microbes, the environment, and the food ingredients determine the aroma, flavor, and texture of the final product. We are interested in understanding the ecology of these polymicrobial ferments to predict how microbial interactions will shape the resulting food. We plan to isolate, identify, and characterize the growth and metabolism of microbes from a range of fermenting foods, including apple cider and wild ales, in collaboration with students in BIO156: Food Microbiology.
Interested in research?
The success of our laboratory depends on the recruitment and retention of a diverse group of student researchers. If you are a highly motivated undergraduate student at CSUS or are interested in a Master's degree and want to discuss research opportunities in the Lopez laboratory, please send an email to Dr. Lopez at [email protected].
The success of our laboratory depends on the recruitment and retention of a diverse group of student researchers. If you are a highly motivated undergraduate student at CSUS or are interested in a Master's degree and want to discuss research opportunities in the Lopez laboratory, please send an email to Dr. Lopez at [email protected].