Western Michigan University · BiologyAcid Stress Resistance Lab
Benjamin J. Koestler · Kalamazoo, Michigan
Research Focus
Dr. Benjamin J. Koestler's lab at Western Michigan University studies how bacteria survive acidic environments, particularly focusing on E. coli and Shigella. His team investigates the role of amino acids in helping these bacteria resist acid stress and the regulatory mechanisms involved, particularly the second messenger c-di-GMP. Their research has implications for human health as it aims to uncover new strategies to promote beneficial bacteria and mitigate harmful pathogens in our gastrointestinal systems.
acid resistanceamino acid metabolismE. coliShigellac-di-GMPgastrointestinal bacteriapathoadaptationhuman health
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how isoleucine contributes to acid resistance in E. coli.
AIM 02Explore the regulatory role of c-di-GMP in amino acid metabolism.
AIM 03Examine the differences in acid stress responses between E. coli and Shigella.
AIM 04Identify potential new therapeutic targets to promote human health.
AIM 05Understand the evolutionary process of pathoadaptation in gastrointestinal bacteria.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemolecular biology techniquesPCRprotein analysismass spectrometrybacterial culturinggene editingbiochemical assays
Output against the department
Publications35bottom 5% of dept.979th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.6kbottom 10% of dept.930th 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.