Molecular Sciences Faculty Directory
Maria Gomes-Solecki, DVM
Assistant Professor
858 Madison Ave.
301 Molecular Science Building
Memphis, TN 38163
Email: mgomesso@uthsc.edu
Phone: 901-448-2536
Fax: 901-448-7360
Research Interests
Work in our laboratory focuses on developing oral vaccine delivery vehicles using commensal bacteria (i.e. Lactobacillus spp.) that are capable of inducing protective immune responses against microbial pathogens and that can counteract the immune imbalance that leads to autoimmune diseases. We use a number of molecular biology, biochemistry and immunology tools to dissect the immunological mechanisms by which effective oral vaccines break the oral tolerance of the gut. One pertinent project relates to the development of oral vaccines against spirochetal diseases, such as Lyme disease and Leptospirosis. Other projects relate to developing vaccines and understanding the pathogenesis of Burkholderia pseudomallei and other select agents of biodefense interest.
Building a medical city (By Daniel Connolly, Memphis Commercial Appeal)
Education
- Postdoc, SUNY at Stony Brook, 1995-1998
- Fellowship, National Institute of Technology (Lisbon, Portugal), 1992-1995
- DVM, University of Lisbon, 1992
