Frank R. DeLeo, Ph.D.

Although most bacteria are killed readily by neutrophils, pathogens such asStaphylococcus aureus have evolved mechanisms to circumvent destruction by these key innate immune cells and thereby cause human infections. A better understanding of the bacteria-neutrophil interface at the cell and molecular levels will provide information critical to our understanding, treatment, and control of disease caused by bacterial pathogens.

The long-term objective of our research is to promote development of enhanced diagnostics, better prophylactic agents, and new treatments for emerging bacterial pathogens such as community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus(CA-MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. To achieve that objective, the Pathogen-Host Cell Biology Section does the following:

• Conducts a systematic molecular dissection of steps involved in the pathogen-host interaction, with emphasis on the interaction of bacterial pathogens with human neutrophils
• Investigates mechanisms mediating evasion of innate immunity by bacterial pathogens
• Identifies new virulence genes involved in the pathogenesis of infections caused by pathogens of special interest
• Uses animal infection models and (if possible) human specimens to test hypotheses developed from in vitro analyses

Dr. DeLeo received his Ph.D. in microbiology from Montana State University in 1996, studying the molecular basis of superoxide generation by human neutrophils. He did his postdoctoral training in the area of innate immunity and infectious diseases in the Department of Medicine at the University of Iowa (1996–2000). Dr. DeLeo joined the staff at the NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories in 2000 and served previously as Acting Chief of the Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis (2007-2013). He was appointed to the NIH Senior Biomedical Research Service in 2011 and is Chief of the Laboratory of Bacteriology.

Editorial Boards
Infection and Immunity
Journal of Innate Immunity