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We're hiring!

We're currently recruiting:

Email cover letter & CV to laura.jennings@montana.edu.

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The Jennings Lab

Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections

are a global public health threat.

 Our research aims to change that. 

 

     The Jennings Lab studies bacterial factors that impact infection outcomes. Our research has two primary focus areas: 1) The influence of biofilm polysaccharides on host-pathogen interactions and vaccine escape, and 2) Epigenetics and programmed heterogeneity in drug-resistant bacteria. Our goal is to leverage insights from these areas to develop innovative approaches to combat bacterial infections.

Laura K. Jennings, PhD (she/her) is an Assistant Professor

in the Dept. of Microbiology & Cell Biology at Montana State University

and a Faculty Affiliate of the Center for Biofilm Engineering.

P. aeruginosa aggregate producing Pel in CF sputum
CF lungs watercolor
Localization of Pel (red) in P. aeruginosa biofilms
Storm over Montana Hall
CF lung
The Bridger Mountains
Pel & Psl are produced in CF airways
small colony variants
Yellowstone
Immunohistochemistry of polysaccharides in sputum
Pyocin
Montana Hall
Immunohistochemistry of sputum
Laura Jennings
DNA gel
Plaques
Microscopy
Biofilm that overproduces Pel polysaccharide

My Story

Montana State University

Current Position:

  • Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Montana State University

  • Faculty Affiliate, Center for Biofilm Engineering

Courses Taught:

BIOM 494 Microbiology Senior Capstone

BIOM 410 Microbial Genetics (UM)

Education/Experience:

  • Research Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences, University of Montana

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Microbiology, University of Washington

  • PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering, Cornell University

  • BS in Chemical & Biological Engineering, Montana State University

Center for Biofilm Engineering

Research

Small colony variants from murine lung infection

How bacteria randomly switch phenotypes to cheat death and antibiotics.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm overexpression the Pel polysaccharide.

Influence of bacterial polysaccharides on therapeutic 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. 

Montana State University campus
MSU bobcats

Let's Connect

The Jennings Lab 

Microbiology & Cell Biology

Montana State University

109 Lewis Hall

Bozeman, MT 59717

406-994-2649 (office)

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