UMUniversity of Maine · Biochemistry
Wheeler Lab
Robert T. Wheeler · Orono, Maine
Research Focus
Robert T. Wheeler's lab at the University of Maine Orono focuses on understanding how certain strains of Candida yeast cause vaginal infections (VVC) in some women while remaining harmless in others. The lab investigates the mechanisms by which these fungal strains can trigger inflammation and lead to painful symptoms, aiming to identify specific virulence factors that could improve diagnosis and treatment options. Their innovative approach combines genomic analyses and in vitro assays, which may ultimately transform the way we view and manage candidiasis.
Candidavulvovaginal candidiasisfungal virulenceepithelial signalingin vitro assaystranscriptomicsintegrin signalinginterferonfungal pathogenshost-pathogen interactions
Research Aims
3AIM 01Identify the epithelial signaling pathways activated by different Candida strains during vaginal epithelial cell exfoliation.
AIM 02Determine the impact of bacterial co-infections on the virulence of Candida strains.
AIM 03Use transcriptomic analysis to uncover the specific virulence factors involved in Candida-induced exfoliation.
Skills the Lab Values
cell cultureRNA sequencingPCRflow cytometryWestern blottranscriptomicsgenomic analysispathway analysisin vitro assaysmicroscopy
Output against the department
Publications87bottom 19% of dept.323rd of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations7.0kbottom 38% of dept.250th 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.