Current Research and Interests:
Dr. Spatafora teaches introductory- and advanced-level courses in Microbiology (BI310) and Molecular Genetics (BI314), as well as a course for the general college community which details the ethical issues arising from the genetic engineering revolution (BI120). Her research efforts at the College focus on the use of genetic and recombinant DNA approaches to investigate how bacteria cause disease. Middlebury College undergraduates working in the Spatafora laboratory study Streptococcus parasanguis and Streptococcus mutans, oral pathogens that induce plaque formation and dental cavities, respectively, in humans. Professor Spatafora has supervised the research of over 50 undergraduates since her arrival at the College, many of whom accompany her to the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and/or the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Meetings where to present the results of their research findings. Several of her students have also been awarded Scientific Research Grants from the ASM and the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, while others have served as coauthors on recently published manuscripts in refereed journals which include Infection and Immunity and the Journal of Bacteriology.
Recent Publications:
(* denotes undergraduate student co-authors)
Senadheera, D., A. Lee, D. Hung, G. Spatafora, S. Goodman, and D. Cvitkovitch. 2006. The Streptococcus mutans vicX gene product modulates gtfB/C expression, biofilm formation, genetic competence and oxidative stress tolerance. J. Bacteriol. Accepted.
Rolerson, E., A. Swick, L. Newlon, C. Palmer, Y. Pan, B. Keeshan, and G. Spatafora. 2006. The SloR/Dlg metalloregulator modulates Streptococcus mutans virulence gene expression. J. Bacteriol. 188:5033-5044.
Senadheera, M.D., B. Guggenheim, G.A. Spatafora, Y.-C.C. Huang, J. Choi, D.C.I. Hung, J.S. Treglown, S.D. Goodman, R.P. Ellen and D.G. Cvitkovitch. 2005. A VicRK signal transduciton system in Streptococcus mutans affects gtfBCD, gbpB, and ftf expression, biofilm formation, and genetic competence development. J. Bacteriol. 187:4064-4076.
Spatafora, G., N. Van Hoeven*, K. Wagner and P. Fives-Taylor. 2002. Evidence that ORF3 at the S. parasanguis fimA locus codes for a thiol-specific antioxidant. Microbiology 148:755-762.
Spatafora, G., M. Moore*, S. Landgren, E. Stonehouse* and S. Michalek. 2001. Expression of S. mutans fimA is iron-responsive and regulated by a DtxR homolog. Microbiology 147:1599-1610.
Recent Grants:
R01DE14711-03 Spatafora (P.I.)
NIH/NIDCR R01 Grant
Cloning/Characterization of the S. mutans Iron Stimulon.
1R15DE14854-01 Spatafora (P.I.) 1/1/03 - 12/31/04
NIH/NIDCR AREA Grant
Regulation of Streptococcus mutans Virulence by covR/S.
3 R29 DE12306-05S1 Spatafora (P.I.) 9/1/01 - 5/31/02
NIH/NIDCR (Supplement for Minority Undergraduates)
Characterization of Streptococcus mutans glg gene expression.
1 R29 DE 12246 Spatafora (P.I.) 10/1/97 - 9/30/02
NIH/NIDCR (FIRST Award)
Characterization of Streptococcus mutans glg gene expression.