Dr. Stephanie Bishop
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of British Columbia Okanagan
Ph.D., University of British Columbia Okanagan
Post-doctoral Scholar, University of Calgary
Office: SDRI 203C
Phone: 519.661.2111, ext. 89563
E-mail: stephanie.bishop@schulich.uwo.ca
Research Interests
The Bishop lab is interested in developing analytical tools to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial infections and microbial community metabolism. Microbes use diverse biochemical strategies to interact with a host or other microbes and protect themselves from antimicrobial compounds. We use liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based metabolomics and in vitro microbiology approaches, along with innovative experimental platforms, to understand the metabolic mechanisms that enable microbes to colonize and survive in complex environments. Our primary research themes include the following:
1) Mapping the host-microbe metabolome
Our first goal is to develop a semi-targeted LC-MS metabolomics pipeline that allows us to quantify known metabolites in biological matrices, as well as discover unidentified metabolites. We will develop sample preparation devices optimized for metabolite extraction and new bioinformatics approaches to integrate quantitative and discovery metabolomics workflows. These tools will allow us to systematically determine baseline metabolite concentrations in matrices associated with host and microbial metabolites and perform systems biology analyses that integrate multi-omics and multi-species data.
Our first goal is to develop a semi-targeted LC-MS metabolomics pipeline that allows us to quantify known metabolites in biological matrices, as well as discover unidentified metabolites. We will develop sample preparation devices optimized for metabolite extraction and new bioinformatics approaches to integrate quantitative and discovery metabolomics workflows. These tools will allow us to systematically determine baseline metabolite concentrations in matrices associated with host and microbial metabolites and perform systems biology analyses that integrate multi-omics and multi-species data.
2) Understanding mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance
Many pathogenic bacteria are rapidly acquiring resistance to many classes of antimicrobials, leading to fears that some infections may soon become untreatable. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that allow pathogens to acquire antimicrobial resistance and overcome the fitness deficits that are normally associated with resistance can help us to find new drug targets and treatment strategies for infections. Our lab is investigating mutations in metabolic enzymes that drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (causative agent of gonorrhea) strains develop to overcome the fitness costs of antimicrobial resistance. We will use LC-MS metabolomics approaches to map the metabolic pathways that are altered in N. gonorrhoeae strains displaying high fitness, which can then be explored for therapeutics development.
Many pathogenic bacteria are rapidly acquiring resistance to many classes of antimicrobials, leading to fears that some infections may soon become untreatable. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that allow pathogens to acquire antimicrobial resistance and overcome the fitness deficits that are normally associated with resistance can help us to find new drug targets and treatment strategies for infections. Our lab is investigating mutations in metabolic enzymes that drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (causative agent of gonorrhea) strains develop to overcome the fitness costs of antimicrobial resistance. We will use LC-MS metabolomics approaches to map the metabolic pathways that are altered in N. gonorrhoeae strains displaying high fitness, which can then be explored for therapeutics development.
3) Investigating metabolic cross-talk in microbial communities
Microbes live in complex communities and metabolic exchange and crosstalk play a large role in their ability to thrive in diverse environments. Our lab uses specially engineered in vitro devices and metabolomics analysis platforms to study cross-species interactions in microbial communities. Our goal is to develop tools for analyzing metabolic crosstalk in ecosystems including the vaginal microbiome and investigating the role of metabolism in modulating drug resistance in complex communities.
Publications
See list of publications on Google Scholar.
