UGUniversity of Georgia · Microbiology & Immunology
Gram-Negative Bacteria Research Lab
Michael Stephen Trent · Athens, Georgia
Research Focus
Dr. Michael Stephen Trent's lab at the University of Georgia focuses on understanding how Gram-negative bacteria, like Acinetobacter baumannii, develop their protective outer membrane. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind the transport and assembly of essential membrane components, which is crucial due to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance. The findings could lead to innovative strategies for designing new antimicrobial treatments that target these formidable pathogens.
Gram-negative bacteriaantibiotic resistanceouter membranelipopolysaccharidecardiolipinbacterial biogenesismultidrug resistancemembrane transportantimicrobial designE. coli
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the role of key proteins in the transport of glycerophospholipids across the bacterial cell envelope.
AIM 02Characterize the mechanisms of surface lipoprotein transport during envelope stress in Acinetobacter baumannii.
AIM 03Identify the impact of cardiolipin synthesis on outer membrane integrity and stability in Gram-negative bacteria.
Skills the Lab Values
molecular biology techniquescell cultureE. coli manipulationprotein characterizationlipid analysismicroscopy techniquesantibiotic susceptibility testinggenetic engineeringbiochemical assayslipid transport studies
Output against the department
Publications10bottom 2% of dept.474th of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations70bottom 2% of dept.475th of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.