Duke University · BiochemistrySchumacher Lab
Maria Schumacher · Durham, North Carolina
Research Focus
The Schumacher lab at Duke University focuses on unraveling the molecular mechanisms behind protein-nucleic acid interactions in biology. Their research investigates how certain bacteria sense their environment and develop, as well as how they can cause disease. One of their key projects aims to understand the virulence of Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia and is a potent bioweapon. By exploring these biological processes, the lab hopes to identify new targets for developing antibiotics, especially against drug-resistant bacteria.
protein-nucleic acid interactionsmicrobial pathogenesisantimicrobial resistanceFrancisella tularensistranscription regulationc-di-GMP signalingkRNA editingbacterial virulencedrug developmentcryogenic electron microscopy
Research Aims
5AIM 01Elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing bacterial transcription regulation.
AIM 02Investigate the virulence mechanism of Francisella tularensis and its RNA polymerase interactions.
AIM 03Characterize the developmental signaling pathways in Streptomyces bacteria.
AIM 04Dissect the RNA editing process in kinetoplastid protozoans and its regulatory complexes.
AIM 05Identify potential chemotherapeutic targets against multidrug-resistant microbes.
Skills the Lab Values
PCRcell culturecryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM)RNA sequencingstructural biology techniquesin vivo studiesbiochemical assaysprotein purificationgene expression analysisbioinformatics tools
Output against the department
Publications278top 24% of dept.97th of 402
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations15ktop 31% of dept.123rd 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.