Dr. Jonathan Hardy

Biography

The Hardy laboratory studies bacterial infections that affect children, exploiting multiple techniques including live animal and non-invasive imaging. These methods reveal the extent of infection and the consequences for the host in real-time. Non-invasive methods utilize mild anesthetics, allowing visualization of disease dynamics that classical methods cannot. A primary tool is in vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI), developed by Professor Christopher Contag from the Biomedical Engineering Department at Michigan State University. This technique uses recombinant bacteria or transgenic animals that express luciferase enzymes, emitting light that allows for detection of individual living animals over time with an ultrasensitive CCD camera. The lab primarily investigates Listeria monocytogenes, a significant foodborne pathogen that predominantly infects pregnant women. This well-studied bacterium has contributed to knowledge in infectious disease since the 1960s. The lab has found that Listeria can replicate in the gallbladder lumen, a crucial reservoir for the bacteria, leading to severe outcomes like septicemia and meningitis in fetuses. Additionally, imaging techniques are applied to study Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients, exploring effective treatments and the impact of bacterial infections on child health. Overall, the Hardy laboratory focuses on advanced imaging methods to benefit children suffering from devastating illnesses.

Research Interests

Experience