Damon Runyon Researchers

Meet Our Scientists
Georgia R. Squyres, PhD

Dr. Squyres [National Mah Jongg League Fellow] is using quantitative microscopy and cell biology approaches to study how bacteria in biofilms coordinate their behavior in space and time. Biofilms are dense, multicellular communities of bacteria embedded in an extracellular matrix. Biofilms often form during bacterial infections, resulting in infections that are difficult to treat and resist antibiotics; cancer patients are at particular risk for these types of infections. Dr. Squyres is currently investigating how the release of extracellular DNA, a key component of the biofilm matrix, is coordinated during biofilm development. Greater understanding of how bacteria function in biofilms can lead to new approaches to target these treatment-resistant infections.

Project title: "Spatiotemporal regulation of eDNA release in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms"
Institution: California Institute of Technology
Named Award: National Mah Jongg League Fellow
Award Program: Fellow
Sponsor(s) / Mentor(s): Dianne K. Newman, PhD
Cancer Type: All Cancers
Research Area: Microbiology