Dr. Richard Deonier

Biography

Professor Deonier researches structure-function relationships of DNA-protein complexes. He specifically focuses on the transfer origin (oriT) of the Escherichia coli F plasmid and the site where a DNA strand-specific nick is introduced. His work involves understanding how point DNA strands on plasmids are unwound and transferred to recipient bacteria during conjugation. He studies the genes exchanged between individual bacteria, which is an important route for the transmission of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria. His studies have employed biological, biochemical, and physical-chemical approaches to define the structural elements of the transfer origin locus. His team has shown that the extensive structure, spanning 200 base pairs, is essential for the function of this locus.

Research Interests