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ABOUT 

Our lab studies the opportunistic bacterial pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae. Despite having been one of the first isolated bacterial pathogens (in 1881 by Sternberg and Pasteur, independently), and having available preventative vaccines since 1977, S pneumoniae  remains one of the leading causes of infectous death worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates 1.4 million deaths each year are the result of  invasive pneumococcal disease (e.g. pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, etc.), primarily of the very young, the immunocompromised, and the elderly.

The goal of our research is to better characterize the molecular mechanisms which orchestrate the key host-pathogen interactions which underlie the development of disease, advancing the foundations of understanding to improve therapies and preventative treatments. Recently we have focused on exploring the molecular basis of organ invasion (e.g. cardiac, kidney, etc.) during severe infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, dissecting the intricate relationships between bacterial proteins and polysaccharides and the host response. Additionally, we have begun investigating the role of key molecular mechanisms, which were identified in invasive disease, in the host response to non-invasive asymptomatic colonization.

The Orihuela Lab

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Characterizing the key molecular mechanisms involved in cardiac invasion and cardiac micro lesion formation during invasive pneumococcal disease. (Drs. Eriel Martinez and Hansol Im)

Understanding the role of carbon metabolism on the pathogenesis of S. pneumoniae (Dr. Christina Morra)

Determining the role of localized inflammatory cell death in the immune response to asymptomatic colonization with S. pneumoniae.  (Ashleigh Riegler) 

Characterizing the  role of aging on the immune response to pneumococcal pneumonia.  (Katherine Kruckow)

Understanding and identifying host proteins which are key in S. pneumoniae interactions with the immune system during infection (Dr. Ninecia Scott)

Identifying key bacterial mediators responsible for endothelium and epithelium crossing in organ invasion during invasive pneumococcal disease. (Drs. Eriel Martinez, Hansol Im, and Christina Morra)

Examining the role of upstream necroptosis signaling on immune response to lower airway infection by viral pathogens.  (Ashleigh Riegler)

Identifying genetic and metabolic mediators associated with increased pathogenicity of serotype 3 S. pneumoniae. (Jennifer Luck)

Characterizing the host and bacterial responses during invasive pneumococcal disease.  

Current Projects

For 21 years, my research focus has been the host-pathogen interactions that lead to and prevent development of invasive pneumococcal disease. Most recently this includes how nutrient availability impacts the pathogenic profile of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the nasopharynx during colonization, the basis of myocardial invasion and cardiac damage following pneumococcal bacteremia, and how the toxin pneumolysin activates the necroptosis pathway in cells. To do this my laboratory uses sophisticated molecular tools. These include knockout/transgenic mice, CRISPR-Cas9 gene-edited cell lines, isogenic deletion and complemented mutants of S.pneumoniae,“omic” technologies (e.g. genomic,transcriptomic, proteomic), flow cytometry,and immunofluorescent and electron microscopy. 

EDUCATION

1996

Baylor University

Bachelor's of Science in Biology and Chemistry

2001

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Doctorate of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology

2005

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Postdoctoral fellow

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Streptococcus pneumoniae

The Influence of aging on infectious disease

Opportunistic pathogens of the lungs

Dr. Orihuela

Associate Professor

Vice Chair for Faculty Development

UAB Department of Microbiology

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