Moorthy S, Byfield FJ, Janmey PA, Klein EA. Matrix stiffness regulates endosomal escape of uropathogenic E. coli. Cell Microbiol. 2020 May;22(5):e13196. doi: 10.1111/cmi.13196. Epub 2020 Mar 4. PMID: 32083802.

Moorthy S, Keklak J, Klein EA. Perspective: Adhesion Mediated Signal Transduction in Bacterial Pathogens. Pathogens. 2016 Feb 18;5(1):23. doi: 10.3390/pathogens5010023. PMID: 26901228; PMCID: PMC4810144.

Madan R, Moorthy S, Mahadevan S. Enhanced expression of the bgl operon of Escherichia coli in the stationary phase. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2008 Nov;288(1):131-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2008.01346.x. PMID: 18793199.

Moorthy S, Watnick PI. Identification of novel stage-specific genetic requirements through whole genome transcription profiling of Vibrio cholerae biofilm development. Mol Microbiol. 2005 Sep;57(6):1623-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04797.x. PMID: 16135229; PMCID: PMC2600799.

Moorthy S, Watnick PI. Genetic evidence that the Vibrio cholerae monolayer is a distinct stage in biofilm development. Mol Microbiol. 2004 Apr;52(2):573-87. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2004.04000.x. PMID: 15066042; PMCID: PMC2501105.

Moorthy S, Mahadevan S. Differential spectrum of mutations that activate the Escherichia coli bgl operon in an rpoS genetic background. J Bacteriol. 2002 Jul;184(14):4033-8. doi: 10.1128/JB.184.14.4033-4038.2002. PMID: 12081976; PMCID: PMC135163.

Effective Teaching Practices: Rutgers-Camden and ACUE (2022-23)
Designing Better Assignments: Rowan (2022)
Teaching and Learning with Technology: Rutgers-New Brunswick (2021)
Mentoring Undergraduates: Rutgers-New Brunswick (2019)

Bacteria are remarkably adaptable microorganisms. All bacteria are capable of genetic or physiological adaptive mechanisms in response to environmental stimuli. Bacterial pathogenesis can also be considered an adaptation mechanism; pathogenicity is a bacterial “specialization”, like their ability to make yogurt from milk! Simply put, pathogens are bacteria that are the best at acquiring nutrients, outcompeting other bacteria and colonizing within the host. But pathogens also need to and successfully navigate the environment outside the host. How do bacteria, specifically pathogens, establish a successful relationship with the host and/or the environment? This is the central theme of my research interest.

I work with the bacterial species Escherichia coli, which includes commensal strains residing in the intestine of humans and animals, as well as pathogenic strains causing various intestinal and extra-intestinal infections. This diversity in the life-style of E. coli is correlated with the significant genetic variability of the genome. Thus, I use E. coli as a model organism to research how bacteria adapt to their environment, how pathogenic strains evolve to gain functions useful to them and how these genetic capabilities may be maintained in/ lost from the population. The successful colonization by and survival of pathogens in different habitats is influenced by climate change and affects human health and well-being globally. Thus, my research would help us to understand the spread of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance and has important implications for public health.

I like to use experimental tools that will be handy for any researcher in biology. My research projects involve simple yet elegant techniques in microbiology, genetics and molecular biology to ask and answer questions in bacterial evolution, bacterial genetics and bacterial gene expression analysis.