University of Washington-Seattle Campus · Biomedical EngineeringThe Endocarditis Exploration Lab
Wendy E Thomas · Seattle, Washington
Research Focus
Wendy E Thomas's lab at the University of Washington studies how certain bacteria, specifically oral streptococci, contribute to a serious heart infection called infective endocarditis. Her research focuses on how these bacteria interact with sugars on human cells, which influences their ability to cause infection. By understanding these interactions better, the lab aims to find new strategies for preventing and treating this life-threatening condition.
infective endocarditisstreptococcisialoglycansbacterial adhesionpathogenesisbiofilm formationmicrofluidics
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate how sialoglycan binding affects the virulence of streptococci in heart infections.
AIM 02Examine the role of hemodynamic forces in bacterial adhesion to heart tissues.
AIM 03Explore the differences in bacterial interactions with various sialoglycans.
AIM 04Assess the impact of bacterial binding on platelet activation and endothelial healing.
AIM 05Define the mechanisms underlying streptococcal endocarditis for potential therapeutic applications.
Skills the Lab Values
flow cytometrycell cultureanimal modelsmicrofluidicsWestern blotPCRbacterial cultureplatelet activation assaysprotein purification
Output against the department
Publications119bottom 24% of dept.452nd of 595
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.8kbottom 45% of dept.328th of 595
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.