Faculty

My Lien Dao

Associate Professor

CONTACT

Office: BSF 205
Phone: (813) 974-5655
Lab: BSF 239, 240
Email

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Univ. of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OKC, OK (1978) Postdoctoral Research Associate Scientist, Department of Biology, the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

RESEARCH

Microbiology

Molecular Microbiology/Immunology

Our laboratory is focused on the molecular biology and immunology of host-pathogen interactions. Targets of our studies include pathogenic microorganisms with a special emphasis on Streptococcus mutans, a principle etiologic agent causing dental decay, and two emerging infectious agents, the protozoans Cryptosporidum parvum and Microsporidium intestinalis, both causing severe parasitic infections in immunodeficient and immunocompromised hosts. Studies with S. mutans involve the molecular cloning and analysis of virulence factors including those involved in coronal and dental root decay, enzymes involved in infectivity through degradation of host proteins, and metabolic proteins that are unique to cariogenic streptococci.  Since S. mutans is the causative agent and the predominant component of dental plaque, it also serves as a model for the study of oral microbial ecology. Work with protozoans is focused on their culture and studies of their cellular and molecular interactions with the host cells with special emphasis on the mechanisms of infectivity.  Considering that infectious disease is the result of the pathogenicity of the microorganism and the immune functions of the host, our effort is also focused on investigating means to enhance the immune system through dietary manipulations such as calorie intake restriction.  Additionally, we collaborate with other laboratories in interdisciplinary research programs contributing our experience in molecular biology, microbiology and immunology.

Former Lab Members

Name Title Location Phone
Tanja Dubravcic, Ph.D. Abused Drugs and Toxicology
Technical Support Leader
ADD Lake County Dept. 04L8, Bldg. AP31-1
Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, IL 60064-3500 USA
(847) 935-8824 (office)
Valerie Carson, MS Instructor Department of Biology
Division of Cellular Biology, Microbiology and Molecular biology
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(813) 974-3250
Carlos Chavez, Ph.D. Senior Corporate Compliance Auditor Corporate Regulatory and Quality Science
Dept. 03QN, Bldg. AP6C
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, IL 60064-6091
(847) 937-5517
Thomas K. Han, Ph.D. Research Associate Department of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
1 Jimmy Fund Way JFB 703
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 632-4335 (office)
Marios Ioannides, MS   Department of Cytogenetics
The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics
P.O.Box 23462
1683 Nicosia
Cyprus
 
Joseph J. Johnson, MS Research Associate Analytic Microscopy Core Facility
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
(813) 745-6067
Kristin S. Morrow, MS Team Leader Tissue Core Lifetime Cancer Screening and Prevention Center
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
(813) 745-5779
Leonardo Puerta, Ph.D.   Instituto de Investigaciones Inmunológicas
Universidad de Cartagena
Cartagena, Colombia.
 
Edward Seijo, MS. Manager of Shared Resources H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
SRB-2
12902 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, Florida 33612
(813) 745-4264
Teresa Seijo, MS. Senior Biological Scientist – Plant Pathology University of Florida
14625 County Road 672
Wimauma, FL 33598
(813) 634-0000
Sean J. Yoder, MS. Staff Scientist Microarray Core
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
(813)745-1917