The super-bug, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria that traditionally causes infections in hospitalized patients and long term care facilities.  Recent reports show that these bacteria can cause infections in otherwise healthy persons such as children, teenagers and young adults.  New strategies in controlling these bacteria are warranted. 

Dr. Kerry LaPlante’s MRSA laboratory is located in the Providence Rhode Island, Veterans Affairs Hospital.  During the 10 week summer rotation the SURP student will evaluate new antibiotics that inhibit the growth and cause death to MRSA bacteria.  They may also look at various ways to inhibit the virulence factors that cause these bacteria to become invasive to humans. 

Students with strong interests in the fields of pharmacy, infectious diseases or microbiology may find this experience most rewarding.

The molecular triggers trying underling clozapine-induced agranulocytois are not known and we will use biochemical and genetic screens to identify putative molecular mechanisms underlying this serious side-effect.