Otto Research Group

The Pathogen Molecular Genetics section investigates physiology and host interaction of Gram-positive pathogens with a focus on Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. We are also investigating the interactions of commensal staphylococci with other bacteria within the human microbiome and the potential of probiotic approaches to control bacterial infections.

A photo of Michael Otto Research Group

Back row (left to right): Brian Pettygrove, Yang Li, Gordon Cheung, Amer Villaruz, Michael Otto, Katherine Le, Shannon Salo, Julie Wagner, Ryan Liu Front row (left to right): Baruch Hertzog, Yao Liu, Hiba Karim

Credit: NIAID

Michael Otto, Ph.D.

Chief, Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section

Specialty(s): Infectious Disease

Education:

Ph.D., 1998, M.S., 1993, University of Tübingen, Germany

Dr. Otto received his M.S. in biochemistry in 1993 from the University of Tübingen, Germany. In 1998, he earned his Ph.D. in microbiology from the same institution. Dr. Otto joined the Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis in July 2001 as a principal investigator. In 2008, he became a tenured senior investigator and moved his laboratory to the NIH Bethesda main campus.

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Yiu Chong “Gordon” Cheung, Ph.D.

Staff Scientist

Education:

Ph.D., University of Glasgow, Scotland 

Languages Spoken: Cantonese

Gordon is interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic success of S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Additionally, he has a strong interest in investigating the host immune responses that occur during acute skin and severe sepsis infections and what bacterial virulence factors drive these processes.

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Baruch B. Hertzog, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel 

Languages Spoken: Hebrew

Baruch is interested in bacterial communication and the antimicrobial activity of bacteria in the context of the skin microbiome. He is also developing molecular tools for skin microbial research.

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Baruch B. Hertzog, Ph.D.

Yao Liu, Ph.D.

Visiting Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China

Languages Spoken: Mandarin

Yao is interested in mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis, evolution, and interaction with host. She investigates antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in biofilm-associated infections.

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Brian Pettygrove, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral IRTA

Education:

Ph.D. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

Brian is interested in describing the mechanisms by which S. aureus asymptomatically colonizes host mucosal surfaces.

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Katherine Le, M.D.

Guest researcher

Education:

M.D. Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Katherine is pursing pathogenesis and translational research training in staphylococcal endovascular infection.

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Ryan Liu, B.S.

Microbiologist

Education:

B.S., Virginia Technical University

Ryan provides general support and animal model support.

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Ryan Liu, B.S.

Amer E. Villaruz, Ph.D.

Microbiologist

Education:

Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Amer provides research support for various projects in the laboratory and specializes in molecular biology. He also performs protein chemistry and applications involving RNA.

Learn more about Amer E. Villaruz, Ph.D.

Amer E. Villaruz, Ph.D.

Former Postdoctoral and Visiting Fellows

Nana Amissah, Ph.D. (University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana) 

Som Chatterjee, Ph.D. (University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD)

Seth W. Dickey, Ph.D. (University of Maryland, College Park, MD)

Lei He, Ph.D. (Renji Hospital, Jiaotong University, Shanghai)

Hwang-Soo Joo, Ph.D. (Duksung Womens’ University, Seoul, South Korea)

Stanislava Kocianova, Ph.D. (Wuppertal, Germany)

Min Li, Ph.D. (Renji Hospital, Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China)

Saravanan Periasamy, Ph.D. (Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai, India)

Li Qin, M.D. (Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Wuhan, China)

Pipat Piewngam, Ph.D. (Summit Therapeutics, Menlo Park, CA)

Shu Yeong “Johnny” Queck, Ph.D. (Biomerieux Ltd., Singapore)

Viveka Vadyvaloo, Ph.D. (Idaho State University, Moscow, ID)

Cuong Vuong, Ph.D. (Aicuris, Wuppertal, Germany)

Rong Wang, Ph.D. (USDA, Clay Center, NE)

Yufeng Yao, Ph.D. (Jiaotong University, Shanghai)

Yue Zheng. Ph.D. (Innovent Biologics, Rockville, MD)

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