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: Host-microbiome systems biology, Model systems to study chronic infections and inflammations, Signaling crosstalk mechanisms modulating immune responses to infections, Translational Research, and Alzheimer’s Disease

We investigate host-pathogen interactions in chronic infections and inflammations, with a focus on the interplay between microbial products and key molecular and cellular signaling pathways in the immune system, particularly TLRs- and complement system-dependent responses. Specifically, we aim to understand the cellular and molecular interactions between microbial products and the immune system that lead to chronic infections and self-sustained inflammatory milieus. Currently, we study how various signaling components regulate the signaling pathways that drive the function of monocytes and macrophages, , bridging innate and adaptive immunity. Additionally, we aim to identify key contributors to the development and sustainability of inflammatory conditions, diagnostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets.

Our research is interdisciplinary, leveraging innovative system-based approaches and integrating tools from molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and bioengineering. We utilize various in vitro and in vivo models, as well as clinical samples, to advance our understanding and address complex scientific questions.

Areas of scientific expertise

  • Systems biology of host-pathogen interactions in chronic infections and inflammations
  • Regulation of TLRs-dependent immune responses by microbial products
  • Biofilm-based infections, underlying molecular dynamics, model systems to study chronic infections and inflammations
  • Structure and functionality of biopolymers and their biological and biomedical applications
  • Cell & biomaterial engineering for translational research and therapeutic applications

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)