RUSSELL KARLS
Research Scientist

My research focuses on pathogenic mycobacteria that affect human and animal populations. Studies with the human respiratory pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis employ molecular genetic methods to identify the secondary sigma factors that regulate genes required for infection and disease maintenance. Mutant strains defective in the production of individual sigma factors are tested in various in vitro and animal models of tuberculosis with the long range goal of developing a safe and effective vaccine.

Another line of research studies M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis, the etiological agent of Johne's disease in cattle. Disease symptoms (chronic diarrhea, wasting, and ultimately death) manifest several years after initial infection by this intestinal pathogen. The fecal-oral route is thought to be the primary route of transmission. We are developing intervention strategies to disrupt disease transmission. We are also targeting specific genes in this bacterium to develop a safe and effective vaccine.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Search PubMed for "karls, r"

Karls, R. K., Guarner, J., McMurray, D. N., Birkness, K. A. and Quinn, F. D. 2006. Examination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigma factor mutants using low-dose aerosol infection of guinea pigs suggests a role for SigC in pathogenesis. Microbiology, 152(Pt 6):1591-600.

Karls, R. Tuberculosis in cattle: how to get the upper hand. Veterinary Journal, 171(2):193-4.

Stewart, J. N., Rivera, H. N., Karls, R., Quinn, F. D., Roman, J. and Rivera- Marrero, C. A. 2006. Increased pathology in lungs of mice after infection with an alpha-crystallin mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: changes in cathepsin proteases and certain cytokines. Microbiology, 152(Pt 1):233-44.

Email
rkarls@uga.edu

Degrees
PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1997