Peng Gao, Ph.D

Peng Gao, Ph.D.

Peng Gao, Ph.D.
Research Instructor

My research focus on two projects: “Regulation of Enterococcus faecalis surface protein expression” and “The role of E. faecalis RNase J2 (rnjB) in gene expression and bacteria virulence”. Using high-affinity antibodies against specific enterococcal antigens, we have successfully established a whole-cell ELISA based transposon library screen method to identify genetic elements that affect surface protein expression. We further demonstrated that these genes, by regulating surface protein expression, affect functional processes including biofilm formation and cell attachment. We also use microarray analysis to compare transcriptomes of the wild-type E. faecalis and the isogenic rnjB deletion mutant to investigate the functional role of E. faecalis RNase J2. A sub-lethal IV challenge mouse model demonstrated that deletion of RNase J2 greatly attenuate bacterial virulence.