Johns Hopkins University · BiochemistryLaboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Host Interactions
Tamara O'Connor · Baltimore, Maryland
Research Focus
Tamara O'Connor's lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding how bacterial pathogens, specifically Legionella pneumophila, utilize host cell organelles called peroxisomes to thrive and evade the immune system. The research aims to uncover new strategies to develop antibiotics that can target these mechanisms to combat infections effectively. By investigating the role of peroxisomes in bacterial growth and survival within host cells, the lab hopes to identify new therapeutic opportunities for treating infections.
bacterial pathogenesisLegionella pneumophilaperoxisomesantibiotic resistancehost-pathogen interactioninfection mechanismsreplication vacuoletherapeutic targets
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how peroxisomes support the replication of Legionella pneumophila.
AIM 02Understand the mechanisms through which Legionella evades the host immune system.
AIM 03Identify potential therapeutic targets within the peroxisome-bacterium interaction.
AIM 04Explore the role of peroxisomes in the growth of other bacterial pathogens.
AIM 05Develop novel antibiotics aimed at disrupting pathogen growth within host cells.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturefluorescence microscopyelectron microscopymolecular biology techniquesbiochemical assaysbacterial growth assayslipid metabolism studieshost cell studiespathogen infection modeling
Output against the department
Publications33bottom 2% of dept.391st of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.5kbottom 11% of dept.357th of 402
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.