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The Jennings Lab

Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections

are a global public health threat. 

Our research aims to change that. 

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Our laboratory studies bacterial factors that influence infection outcomes and leverages this knowledge to develop innovative antibacterial therapeutics. Our research has two focus areas: 1) Pathogenesis of biofilm polysaccharides and antibacterial vaccine development and 2) Epigenetics and phenotypic heterogeneity in drug-resistant bacteria.

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Laura K. Jennings, PhD is a microbiology research professor

in the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Montana

and affiliate of the Center for Translational Medicine.

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Our lab
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My Story

Current Position:

Microbiology Research Professor, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana

Faculty Affiliate, Center for Translational Medicine, University of Montana

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Courses Taught:

BIOM 410 Microbial Genetics 

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Education:

Postdoctoral Fellow in Microbiology, University of Washington

PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University

BS in Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University

Research

Small colony variants from murine lung infection

Impact of DNA methylation on phenotypic heterogeneity in drug-resistant bacteria. 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm overexpression the Pel polysaccharide.

Influence of bacterial polysaccharides on treatment outcomes.

A P. aeruginosa vaccine could help prevent airway infections in people with cystic fibrosis.

Optimization of a polysaccharide vaccine to prevent or treat bacterial infections. 

Contact Us

Interested in joining our team?

Want to talk science or collaborate?

Let's connect.

University of Montana

32 Campus Drive, HS104

Missoula, MT 59812

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