This study develops a CRISPR interference system in a Streptococcus agalactiae ST-17 strain to enable tunable gene knockdown, demonstrating its utility in studying virulence factors at the blood-brain barrier.

Journal of Bacteriology · Jan 14, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

A Cas12a Toolbox for Rapid and Flexible Group B Streptococcus Genomic Editing and CRISPRi

Gideon H. Hillebrand, Sophia M. Carlin, Elizabeth J. Giacobe, HA Stephenson, James Collins, Thomas Alexander Hooven

This paper develops a Cas12a-based toolkit for efficient genomic editing and CRISPRi in Group B Streptococcus, enabling targeted gene modifications and inducible gene silencing with minimal off-target effects.

Molecular Microbiology · Sep 13, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

FapR regulates HssRS-mediated heme homeostasis in Bacillus anthracis

Hualiang Pi, Owen S. Burroughs, Sophia M. Carlin, William N. Beavers, Gideon H. Hillebrand, E. S. Krystofiak, Devin L. Stauff, Eric Patrick Skaar

This study identifies FapR as a regulator of HssRS-mediated heme homeostasis in B. anthracis, showing its role in maintaining membrane integrity and HssS localization.

mBio · May 23, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

A CRISPRi Library Screen in Group B Streptococcus Identifies Surface Immunogenic Protein (Sip) as a Mediator of Multiple Host Interactions

Kyle Firestone, Kathyayini P. Gopalakrishna, Lisa M. Rogers, A Peters, Jennifer Angeline Gaddy, C Nichols, MH Hall, HN Varela, Sophia M. Carlin, Gideon H. Hillebrand, Elizabeth J. Giacobe, David Michael Aronoff, Thomas Alexander Hooven

This study uses CRISPRi to identify Sip as a key surface protein in GBS that modulates host interactions and pathogenesis.

Infection and Immunity · Mar 21, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology