University of Missouri-Columbia · BiologyThe Shigella Injection Lab
William D. Picking · Columbia, Missouri
Research Focus
Dr. William D. Picking's lab at the University of Missouri-Columbia focuses on understanding how the Shigella bacterium can cause severe intestinal disease. By studying the structure and function of a specialized mechanism used by the bacteria to inject harmful proteins into human cells, the lab hopes to uncover ways to block this process. This research not only aims to shed light on a major public health issue but also seeks to develop new treatments for infections like shigellosis, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children.
Shigellatype III secretion systembacterial pathogenesiscryo-electron tomographyinjectisome
Research Aims
3AIM 01Define the structural makeup at the injectisome and inner membrane interface.
AIM 02Correlate structural features of the export gate with its secretion status.
AIM 03Identify structural changes associated with substrate trapping in the injectisome.
Skills the Lab Values
cryogenic electron tomographybiochemical analysismolecular techniquesprotein purificationstructural biologycell cultureimaging techniques
Output against the department
Publications141top 49% of dept.499th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.9kbottom 30% of dept.723rd of 1,033
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.