Research Interests
Research Topics
Genetics, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Membrane Biology, Microbial Physiology, Molecular Immunology, Receptor Biochemistry, Signal Transduction, Toxins
Disease Research Interests
Cancer, Infectious Diseases
Research Description
Infection Biology and Cancer, Host-pathogen Interactions, Bacterial Pathogenesis, Bacterial Toxins
Modulation of host cells and tissues by bacterial toxins
Many pathogenic bacteria generate protein toxins that modulate properties of host cells and tissues in order to create a more suitable niche for colonization and, in some cases, to persist for extraordinary periods of time. We are studying the cellular intoxication mechanisms and structure-function relationships of several toxins that, to be successful, must traverse the membrane barrier into human cells. We are especially interested in investigating mechanisms of cellular entry and trafficking, as well as the action of toxins on immune cells. Current model systems in the laboratory include the vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA0 from Helicobacter pylori, the cytolethal distending toxins, and a novel toxin we have recently discovered from Helicobacter pylori.
Molecular and cellular basis of chronic bacterial infections
There is particular interest in understanding mechanisms that allow pathogenic organisms to persist within the host during chronic infection. An emerging paradigm is that persistent organisms are highly adaptive because they have co-evolved with their hosts. As a model system, the Blanke Laboratory is focusing on persistent infection in humans with the gastric pathogen, Helicobacter pylori, which is a significant risk factor for the development of gastric ulcer disease and stomach cancer. Because nearly half the world's population is infected with H. pylori, and because of increasing antibiotic resistance, gastric diseases caused by these micro-organisms are an important biomedical problem. Current research is focused on the contributions of a bacterial toxin (VacA) produced by H. pylori towards remodeling the host environment to create a more suitable niche to colonize and persist for the lifetime of the host in the absence of medical intervention. In addition, there is ongoing research to identify mechanisms by which H. pylori organisms are remodeled to become more adaptive to the stomach. These mechanisms include the capacity of H. pylori to sequester host cholesterol, and to change very rapidly to adapt to changes within the stomach.
Intracellular lifestyles of pathogenic bacteria
We are investigating mechanisms by which pathogenic bacteria not only survive encounters with host immune cells, but are able to exploit these cells by entering, surviving, and in some cases, replicating and escaping. Our model system is Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of inhalation anthrax. The Blanke laboratory has been investigating the mechanisms by which B. anthracis enters the human lung and exploits the immune response in order to cause disease. Current work centers on the interaction of B. anthracis spores with human cells, and the capacity of B. anthracis to exploit the intracellular phagolysosome environment to germinate and replicate.
Induction of "limited damage" within the host
We are interested in strategies used by pathogenic bacteria to limit damage within the host as a strategy for promoting infection or persistence. We are focusing on mechanisms by which pathogenic organisms are capable of manipulating the human cell cycle through the action of a relatively new family of bacterial toxins, called the cytolethal distending toxins. We are investigating the cellular intoxication mechanisms, structure-function relationships, and evolutionary relationships between these toxins.
Complex Infections
The Blanke Laboratory has undertaken research, associated with the IGB Host-Microbe Systems Theme, to study the dynamic interactions between the host and its commensal as well as pathogenic microbes to elucidate basic processes of disease and commensalism. This research will initially focus on the complex ecosystem of the vaginal microbiota and its impact on health and disease in women.
Development of molecular countermeasures targeting pathogenic bacteria
The ultimate goal of the basic science conducted within the Blanke laboratory is to develop new countermeasures against pathogenic organisms. Current projects, which are highly collaborative, target B. anthracis, the botulinum neurotoxins, the cytolethal distending toxins, VacA, and H. pylori.
Education
B.A. (Biochemistry), Virginia Tech University 1982
Ph.D. (Biochemistry), University of Illinois, 1989
Postdoctoral (Microbiology and Molecular Genetics), Harvard Medical School, 1990-1995
Additional Campus Affiliations
Professor, Microbiology
Professor, Pathobiology
Professor, Biomedical and Translational Sciences
Professor, Center for Global Studies
External Links
Honors & Awards
Research & Scholarship Awards
2017 Named the Ralph S. Wolfe Professorial Scholar
2015 Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology
2014 Faculty Excellence Award (one award given per year within the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Illinois)
2004 Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship at the Associate Professor Level - University of Houston (one university award per year at each academic rank)
2002 Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship at the Assistant Professor Level - University of Houston (one university award per year at each academic rank)
1999 Young Investigator Award, 10th International Meeting Campylobacter & Helicobacter
1997 Natural Science and Mathematics Alumni Association Award
1996 Oakridge Junior Faculty Award for Life Sciences Research
1981 NSF Undergraduate Research Award
Teaching Awards & Recognition
2010, 2013 Cited as a Teacher ranked as outstanding by their students for Molecular and Cellular Biology/Life Sciences and College of Medicine Courses
2011, 2012, 2008, 2009 Cited as a Teacher ranked as excellent by their students for Molecular and Cellular Biology/Life Sciences and College of Medicine Courses
1999 Teaching Excellence Award, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
1998-1999 University of Houston Enron Award for Excellence in Teaching at the University level
Recent Lectureships, Meeting Chairs, Leadership Positions
2018 Plenary Session Speaker: ASM Microbe on Gut-Brain Axis
2017 Conference Chair, 2017 Gordon Conference on Chemical & Biological Terrorism Defense, Ventura, CA, March 10-15, 2015.
2017 Convener, Opening Plenary Session, 2017 Gordon Conference on Chemical & Biological Terrorism Defense, Ventura, CA, March 10, 2017
2017 International Steering Committee, International Conference on Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis
2017 Sessions Chair, Pathogenicity and Toxins, Sessions 1 and 2, International Conference on Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis
2016 Session Chair, 2016 Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference
2016 Keynote Speaker 4th International Conference on Bacteriology and Infectious diseases
(2016) Extending the Gut-Brain Axis: The Curious Case of Helicobacter pylori, May 16-18, 2016 at San Antonio, USA
2016 Organizing Committee, 2016 Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference
2016 Organizing Committee, 4th Conference on Bacteriology and Infectious diseases, May 16-18, 2016 at San Antonio, USA
2015 Chair, Scientific Session on Toxins, 2015 International Conference on Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, New Delhi, India, November 2, 2015
2015 Convener and Organizer, Symposium on Stem Cells and Microbial Reprogramming of Host Cells and Tissues, 2014 ASM General Meeting, New Orleans, June 1, 2015
2015 Chair, Opening Plenary Session, 2015 Gordon Conference on Chemical & Biological Terrorism Defense, Ventura, CA, March 10-15, 2015
2015 Organizing Committee and Vice-Chair, 2015 Gordon Conference on Chemical & Biological Terrorism Defense, Ventura, CA, March 10-15, 2015
2014 Co-Organizer, and Co-Master of Ceremonies, Lowell P. Hager Memorial Symposium (2014) Urbana, IL, October 17-18, 2014
2014 Finalist for 2016 Vice Chair and 2018 Chair, Gordon Conference on Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity, Waterville Valley, NH
2014-2015 Council Member, Division B (Microbial Pathogens) of American Society for Microbiology
2014 Plenary Session Convener and Organizer, Malignant Microbiology. 2014 ASM General Meeting, Boston, MA, May 2014
2013 Chair, Bacteria-Host Interactions (2013) 2013 International Conference on Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus, and B. thuringiensis, Victoria, Canada, September 2, 2013
2013-2014 Chair, Division B (Microbial Pathogens) of ASM
2013 Discussion Leader/Session Chair, Organizing Committee, 2013 Gordon Conference on Chemical & Biological Terrorism Defense, Ventura, CA, March 10-15, 2013
2012-2013 Chair Elect, Division B (Microbial Pathogens) of ASM, 2012-2013
2011 Session Chair, Organizing Committee, 2011 International Conference on Campylobacter, Helicobacter, and Related Organisms, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, August 28 – September 1, 2011
2011 Keynote Speaker, 23rd Annual Buffalo Conference on Microbial Pathogenesis – Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology (2011) Of Persistence, Cancer, and Asthma: The Curious Case of Helicobacter pylori, Buffalo, NY, April 29, 2011
2011 Organizing Committee, and Discussion Leader/Session Chair, 2011 Gordon Conference on Chemical & Biological Terrorism Defense, Ventura, CA, March 20-25, 2011
Recent Publications
Chen, H., Ang, C. J., Crowder, M., Brieher, W. M., & Blanke, S. R. (2023). Revisiting bacterial cytolethal distending toxin structure and function. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 13, Article 1289359. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1289359
Seeger, A. Y., Zaidi, F., Alhayek, S., Jones, R. M., Zohair, H., Holland, R. L., Kim, I.-J., & Blanke, S. R. (2023). Host cell sensing and restoration of mitochondrial function and metabolism within Helicobacter pylori VacA intoxicated cells. mBio, 14(5), Article 02117-23. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.02117-23
Huang, G., Boesze-Battaglia, K., Walker, L. P., Zekavat, A., Schaefer, Z. P., Blanke, S. R., & Shenker, B. J. (2021). The Active Subunit of the Cytolethal Distending Toxin, CdtB, Derived From Both Haemophilus ducreyi and Campylobacter jejuni Exhibits Potent Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-Triphosphate Phosphatase Activity. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 11, Article 664221. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.664221
Holland, R. L., Bosi, K. D., Harpring, G. H., Luo, J., Wallig, M., Phillips, H., & Blanke, S. R. (2020). Chronic in vivo exposure to Helicobacter pylori VacA: Assessing the efficacy of automated and long-term intragastric toxin infusion. Scientific reports, 10(1), Article 9307. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65787-3
Kim, I. J., Lee, J., Oh, S. J., Yoon, M. S., Jang, S. S., Holland, R. L., Reno, M. L., Hamad, M. N., Maeda, T., Chung, H. J., Chen, J., & Blanke, S. R. (2018). Helicobacter pylori Infection Modulates Host Cell Metabolism through VacA-Dependent Inhibition of mTORC1. Cell Host and Microbe, 23(5), 583-593.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2018.04.006