Fata Moradali, Ph.D.

 

 

image Fata Moradali, PhD

Assistant Professor

 

Dept. of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Room 355, School of Dentistry
Office Phone: 502-852-5528
Email: fata.moradali@louisville.edu
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0230-5006

Research Themes: Systems Biology; Fundamental Genetic and Metabolic Reprogramming in Host-Pathogen Interactions, Microenvironment of Chronically Infected and Inflamed Tissues and Systemic Effects; Signaling Crosstalk Mechanisms in Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immune Responses; Second Messenger Signaling in Biological Systems; Physicochemical and Functional Study of Biopolymers and Their Building Blocks; Translational research, and Biomedical Applications

Our research lab is dedicated to understanding the fundamental cellular and molecular processes involved in host-pathogen interactions, particularly those that underpin chronic infections and inflammations. Our ultimate goal is to translate these discoveries into innovative therapies and technologies.

Currently, our primary research focus is on chronic infections and inflammations of periodontal tissue and their implications for systemic diseases. We investigate key molecular and cellular signaling pathways in the immune system influenced by persistent pathogens, which contribute to a self-sustained chronic infection and inflammatory microenvironment.

Specifically, we study how various microbial products and virulence factors modulate fundamental cellular processes and signal transduction in monocytes and macrophages, thereby influencing both innate and adaptive immunity. Additionally, we examine critical cellular, molecular, and metabolic transitions within the microenvironment of chronically infected and inflamed tissues. Our aim is to identify and structurally characterize key metabolic and polymeric immunomodulators for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Our research is interdisciplinary, leveraging innovative system-based approaches and integrating tools from molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, systems and computational biology,  and bioengineering. We employ a range of in vitro and in vivo models, along with clinical samples, to deepen our understanding of these complex scientific questions.


Our current projects focus on

  • Investigating the structural variation of lipopolysaccharides (or endotoxins) in periodontal pathogens and their contribution to inflammatory responses underlying periodontal inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Cyclic di-nucleotide-based signaling systems in the oral microbiome and their impact on the regulation of inflammatory responses 
  • Leveraging molecular engineering and imaging systems for deciphering the intricate molecular and cellular interactions implicated in chronic inflammatory conditions.
  • How pathogens influence immunometabolism and subsequently shape immune responses
  • Translational research to bridge the gap between basic scientific discoveries and clinical applications, aiming to develop novel molecular tools and therapeutic strategies

 Current Funding

  • Pathoadaptive modulation of lipopolysaccharide structure and function in periodontal pathogens, 1R01DE033702-01 (PI)
  • The control of LPS heterogeneity and virulence by C-di-AMP signaling in Porphyromonas gingivalis, R03 DE031854 (PI)
  • Contribution of P. gingivalis LPS heterogeneity to inflammatory responses and development of Alzheimer`s Disease biomarkers, 3R03DE031854-01 (PI)
  • Regulation of LPS structure and function in P. gingivalis. P20 GM125504 (PI)

Membership

The University of Louisville Center for Biomedical Research (COBRE), in Functional Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity (Research Project Leader)

Current lab members

 


Ratnam Seelan, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist


Masoud Hamidi, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

 

Suraj Adhikari, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate

 

Selected Publications

  1. The multifaceted role of c-di-AMP signaling in the regulation of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide structure and function. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 14:1418651 (2024)
  2. Growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis on human serum albumin triggers programmed cell death. J Oral Microbiol,15(1):2161182 (2023)
  3. Atypical cyclic di-AMP signaling is essential for Porphyromonas gingivalis growth and regulation of cell envelope homeostasis and virulence. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 8, 53 (2022)
  4. Metabolic plasticity enables lifestyle transitions of Porphyromonas gingivalis. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, 7(1):46 (2021)
  5. Biopolymers for biomedical and biotechnological applications. John Wiley & Sons (2021)
  6. Microbial cell factories for biomanufacturing of polysaccharides. In: Biopolymers for biomedical and biotechnological applications. John Wiley & Sons. (2021)
  7. PPAD activity promotes outer membrane vesicle biogenesis and surface translocation by Porphyromonas gingivalis. Journal of Bacteriology, 203(4) (2020)
  8. Bacterial biopolymers: from pathogenesis to advanced materials.  Nature Reviews Microbiology, 18, 195–210 (2020)
  9. The regulation of alginate biosynthesis via cyclic di-GMP signaling. In: Microbial cyclic di-nucleotide signaling. Springer (2020)
  10. Amino acids as wetting agents: surface translocation by Porphyromonas gingivalis. The ISME Journal, 13: 1560–1574 (2019)
  11. The role of alginate in bacterial biofilm formation. In: Extracellular sugar-based biopolymers matrices. Biologically-inspired systems, vol 12. Springer (2019)
  12. Alginates and their biomedical applications. Springer. (2018)
  13. Activation mechanism and cellular localization of membrane-anchored alginate polymerase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 83 (9) e03499-16. (2017) 
  14. Alginate polymerization and modification are linked in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mBio, 6 (3) e00453-15 (2015)