The molecular and cellular biology of the bactericidal pore-forming protein Perforin-2 (MPEG1) is a major area of emphasis within the Munson laboratory. Concurrently we are using multidisciplinary approaches to discover and characterize bacterial effectors that subvert or inhibit the bactericidal activity of Perforin-2 with a particular emphasis on enteric and multidrug resistant pathogens. We are also developing heavy chain only antibodies to advance our Perforin-2 studies. Unlike conventional immunoglobulins this class of antibodies –often referred to as VHHs, llama-bodies, or nanobodies– lack light chains. Because the paratope resides within a single domain, nanobodies are easily engineered and can be expressed in a variety of species including bacteria. Other areas of research include a novel protein modification and secretion system of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and transcriptional regulators of bacterial virulence.
