Kathryn M. Ramsey, Ph.D.

Name of Lab: Ramsey Lab
Location of Lab: CTR 652A, 652B

Research in the Ramsey laboratory focuses on mechanisms of bacterial gene regulation. We combine cutting-edge approaches and traditional genetic tools to examine the regulatory events that allow the pathogenicity of highly virulent bacteria. Current funded projects examine both transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation. Ultimately, we aim to identify processes and pathways that can be exploited to develop novel antimicrobials. Understanding the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenicity is an important topic- one that will only become more relevant as the rise of antibiotic resistance increases the need for new and effective therapeutics.

Key Research Areas

  • Microbiology
  • Gene regulation
  • Genetics
  • Virulence
  • Ribosomes
  • Antibiotics

Current Projects

Bacterial ribosome heterogeneity and impacts on bacterial gene expression

Regulation of P. gingivalis capsule expression

Team

Kira Benabe, Graduate student,

Alexandra Farah, Graduate student,

Jenna Olson, Research Assistant III,

Recent Publications

    • Trautman HS, Schmidt SS, Gregory ST, Ramsey KM. 2023. Ribosome heterogeneity results in leader sequence-mediated regulation of protein synthesis in Francisella tularensis. J. Bacteriol. 205(9):e0014023. doi: 10.1128/jb.00140-23.
    • Trautmann HS, Ramsey KM. 2022. A Ribosomal Protein Homolog Governs Gene Expression and Virulence in a Bacterial Pathogen. J. Bacteriol. 204(10):e0026822. doi: 10.1128/jab.00268-22.
    • Finn MB, Ramsey KM, Dove SL, Wessels MR. 2021. Identification of Group A Streptococcus Genes Directly Regulated by CsrRS and Novel Intermediate Regulators. mBio. 12(4):e0164221. doi:10.1128/mBio.01642-21.
    • Finn MB, Ramsey KM, Tolliver HJ, Dove SL, Wessels MR. 2021. Improved transformation efficiency of group A Streptococcus by inactivation of a type I restriction modification system. PLoS One. 16(4):e0248201. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0248201.
    • Peña JM, Prezioso SM, McFarland KA, Kambara TK, Ramsey KM, Deighan P, Dove SL. 2021. Control of a programmed cell death pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by an antiterminator. Nat Commun. 12(1):1702.
    • Travis BA, Ramsey KM, Prezioso SM, Tallo T, Wandzilak JM, Hsu A, Borgnia M, Bartesaghi A, Dove SL, Brennan RG, Schumacher MA. 2021. Structural Basis for Virulence Activation of Francisella tularensis. Mol Cell. 81(1):139-152.e10.
    • Ramsey KM*, Ledvina HE*, Tresko TM, Wandzilak JM, Tower CA, Tallo T, Schramm CE, Peterson SB, Skerrett SJ, Mougous JD, Dove SL. 2020. Tn-Seq reveals hidden complexity in the utilization of host-derived glutathione in Francisella tularensis. PLoS Pathog 16:e1008566

*Authors contributed equally to this work

  • Gebhardt MJ, Kambara TK, Ramsey KM, Dove SL. 2020. Widespread targeting of nascent transcripts by RsmA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 117:10520-10529.
  • Kambara TK, Ramsey KM, Dove SL. 2018. Pervasive Targeting of Nascent Transcripts by Hfq. Cell Rep. 23:1543-1552.
  • Rohlfing AE, Ramsey KM, Dove SL. 2018. Polyphosphate kinase antagonizes virulence gene expression in Francisella tularensis. J. Bacteriol. 200:e00460–17