Author

Rachel Putnik

University of DelawareORCID 0000-0002-3572-3677Unclaimed ORCID profile · follow to get notified of new preprints

Biology Disciplines

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Signature Assays, Organisms & Methods

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Approach:experimental assay· 2 Research Focus:cell signaling & trafficking· 1 Research Focus:cell type annotation· 1 Research Focus:host-pathogen & immune response· 1 Organism:human· 1 Research Focus:metabolism & bioenergetics· 1 Assay:metabolomics· 1 Assay:proteomics· 1

Frequent Co-Authors

Catherine Leimkuhler GrimesiD· 2 shared Allen C. SteereiD· 1 shared Bella R. Carnahan· 1 shared Christine JacobsiD· 1 shared Elisabeth Fils-Aime· 1 shared Elizabeth A. MuelleriD· 1 shared Irnov IrnoviD· 1 shared Joshua W. McCauslandiD· 1 shared

Activity by Year

2025-2026 · peak 1/yr

Co-Author Collaboration Network

10 top collaborators · 27 mutual co-author links

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Curved chords = mutual co-authorship

2 shared papersMicrobiology

Catherine Leimkuhler GrimesORCID

Mutual co-authors in cluster

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2 papers

Recent·Most cited

Metabolic flexibility and an unusual route for peptidoglycan muramic acid recycling in mycobacteria

Stefanos Stravoravdis, Bella R. Carnahan, Rebecca A. Gordon, Kimberly A. Wodzanowski, Karina Havaleshko, Elisabeth Fils-Aime, Rachel Putnik, Stephen N. Hyland, Catherine Leimkuhler Grimes, M. Sloan Siegrist

This study identifies a novel peptidoglycan recycling pathway in mycobacteria that bypasses typical intermediates, revealing metabolic flexibility in cell wall recycling.

Journal of Biological Chemistry · Sep 18, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Bacterial and host enzymes modulate the inflammatory response produced by the peptidoglycan of the Lyme disease agent

Joshua W. McCausland, Zachary A. Kloos, Irnov Irnov, Nicole D. Sonnert, Junhui Zhou, Rachel Putnik, Elizabeth A. Mueller, Allen C. Steere, Noah W. Palm, Catherine Leimkuhler Grimes, Christine Jacobs

This study identifies bacterial enzymes that modify peptidoglycan fragments from Borrelia burgdorferi, showing they are poor immune stimulators and that host enzymes like PGLYRP2 are less active in joint fluids, contributing to persistent arthritis.

bioRxiv · Jan 8, 2025 · PreprintMicrobiology