Our group is focusing its research efforts on the fundamental biology of Mycoplasma pathogens of animals of agricultural importance. A greater understanding of the molecular biology of mycoplasmas will enable the development of improved vaccines, diagnostic reagents, and therapeutic agents essential to improving the health status of U.S. agricultural animals.

 Mycoplasma gallisepticum is an avian pathogen involved in chronic respiratory disease in chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys, resulting in considerable economic losses in poultry production. Following-up with the complete genome sequence of M. gallisepticum strain R, we have generated a microarray for the genetic and transcriptional profiling of M. gallisepticum. Genetic profiling is useful for monitoring the intra- and interspecies distribution of genes, while expression profiling allows for the monitoring of changes in gene expression in different isolates grown under a variety of environmental conditions. The comparison of genetic and transcriptional profiles from virulent and avirulent isolates will greatly assist in identifying genes and interpreting the roles of genes involved in pathogenesis.

Graduate Students:

Steven M. Szczepanek

Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science
University of Connecticut
61 North Eagleville Road, U-3089
Storrs CT 06269

Phone: (860) 486-8937 (office); (860) 486-8938 (lab)
Fax: (860) 486-2794
Email: timothy.gorton@uconn.edu

May, M., Papazisi, L., Gorton, T.S., and S.J. Geary. 2006. Identification of fibronectin-binding proteins in Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain R. Infection and Immunity, 74:1777-1785.

Hudson, P., Gorton, T.S., Papazisi, L., Cecchini, K., Frasca, Jr., S., and S.J. Geary. 2006. Identification of a virulence-associated determinant, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (lpd), in Mycoplasma gallisepticum through in vivo screening of transposon mutants. Infection and Immunity, 74:931-939.

Gorton, T.S., Barnett, M.M., Gull, T., French, R.A., Lu, Z., Kutish, G.F., Adams, L.G., and S.J. Geary. 2005. Development of real-time diagnostic assays specific for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides Small Colony. Veterinary Microbiology, 111:51-58.

Frasca, Jr., S., Weber, S.E., Urquhart, H., Liao, X., Gladd, M., Cecchini, K., Hudson, P., May, M., Gast, R.J., Gorton, T.S., and S.J. Geary. 2005. Isolation and characterization of Mycoplasma sphenisci sp. nov. from the choana of an aquarium-reared jackass penguin (Spheniscus demersus). Journal of Clinical Microbiology 43:2976-2979.

Papazisi, L., Gorton, T.S., Kutish, G., Markham, P.F., Browning, G.F., Nguyen, D.K., Swartzell, S., Madan, A., Mahairas, G., and S.J. Geary. 2003. The complete genome sequence of the avian pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain Rlow. Microbiology 149:2307-2316.

Papazisi, L., Troy, K.E., Gorton, T.S., Liao, X., and S.J. Geary. 2000. Analysis of cytadherence-deficient, GapA-negative Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain R. Infection and Immunity 68:6643-6649.

Tenover, F.C., Mohammed, M.J.,Gorton, T.S., and Z.F. Dembek. 1999. Detection and reporting of organisms producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases: survey of laboratories in Connecticut. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 37:4065-4070.

Frasca, Jr., S., Linfert, D.R., Tsongalis, G.J., Gorton, T.S., Garmendia, A.E., Hedrick, R.P., West, A.B., and H.J. Van Kruiningen. 1999. Molecular characterization of the myxosporean associated with parasitic encephalitis of farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in Ireland. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 35:221-233.

Goh, M.S., Gorton, T.S., Forsyth, M.H., Troy, K.E., and S.J. Geary. 1998. Molecular and biochemical analysis of a 105 kDa Mycoplasma gallisepticum cytadhesin (GapA). Microbiology 144:2971-2978.

Gorton, T.S. and S.J. Geary. 1997. Antibody mediated selection of a Mycoplasma gallisepticum phenotype expressing variable proteins. FEMS Microbiology Letters 155:31-38.

Frasca, Jr., S., Hinckley, L., Forsyth, M.H., Gorton, T.S., Geary, S.J., and H.J. Van Kruiningen. 1997. Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis in a European starling. Journal of Wildlife Disease 33:336-339.

Forsyth, M.H., Tully, J.G., Gorton, T.S., Hinckley, L., Frasca, Jr., S., Van Kruiningen, H.J., and S.J. Geary. 1996. Mycoplasma sturni sp. nov., from the conjunctiva of a European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology 46:716-719.

Gorton, T.S. and S.J. Geary. 1995. Physical mapping of the Mycoplasma gallisepticum S6 genome with localization of selected genes. Journal of Bacteriology 177:259-263.