Fey Laboratory

Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis are highly significant causes of community and hospital acquired infections. The Fey Laboratory studies multiple aspects of S. epidermidis and S. aureus biology; specifically, the evolution of metabolic pathways that function to facilitate pathogenesis or biofilm formation. We currently have major projects investigating the function of arginine metabolism in both staphylococcal abscess formation and biofilm maturation.  In addition, other projects are ongoing that are studying biofilm adherence factors and proteases that function to regulate biofilm maturation and development. Lastly, investigators in the laboratory are also studying antibiotic resistance in gram-negative and positive bacteria; specifically expanded-spectrum cephalosporin and carbapenem resistance in the Enterobacteriaceae, and daptomycin, vancomycin, and methicillin-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.