John M. Leong

The paper retrospectively analyzes Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates to show that corneal isolates have higher PrpL protease activity and pyocyanin production, which contribute to corneal tissue damage.

The paper uses E. coli surface display to study Borrelia burgdorferi Elp proteins, revealing their conserved complement inhibition and novel interaction with perlecan.

This study identifies weakened airway epithelial junctions and increased neutrophil elastase release in aged mice as factors contributing to age-dependent bacteremia risk after pneumococcal pneumonia.

This study shows engineered commensal E. coli can deliver anti-EHEC Tir nanobodies to block pathogen colonization and improve survival in a mouse model.

This study identifies HXA3 as a driver of neutrophil transmigration and elastase release during pneumococcal infection, showing that blocking these processes reduces epithelial damage and bacteremia.

This study shows that pneumolysin from Streptococcus pneumoniae causes internalization of GPI-anchored proteins in lung epithelial cells via Rho GTPase activation, reducing cell death and membrane damage.