Ph.D. - Molecular and Cell Biology
Washington University - 1978
Lawrence Reitzer
Professor - Biological Sciences
My lab works on bacteria, especially Escherichia coli strains, that cause urinary tract infections. This requires analysis of clinical isolates and understanding gene expression and metabolism of these organisms which are fundamentally different from lab strains.
Professional Preparation
B.S. - Biology
Case Western Reserve University - 1973
Case Western Reserve University - 1973
Research Areas
Research Interests
Current research is focused on study of the relation between metabolism and virulence in Escherichia coli, especially strains that cause urinary tract infections. These painful and common infections can recur, and they become increasingly antibiotic resistant. Rapid growth of uropathogenic E. coli is a virulence factor. We are analyzing the requirement for such rapid growth. The long-term goal is to develop antimetabolites that impair growth and could work independently or in conjunction with antibiotics to eradicate the urinary tract infections, especially recurrent infections.Overview
Dr. Reitzer’s research involves the regulation of gene expression and metabolism in Escherichia coli, especially uropathogenic E. coli bacteria with a focus on responses to environmental stresses, such as nitrogen limitation, and bacterial motility.Publications
Control of pili synthesis and putrescine homeostasis in <i>Escherichia coli</i>. 2025 - Journal Article
Abundant urinary amino acids activate glutamine synthetase-encoding glnA by two different mechanisms in Escherichia coli 2024 - Journal Article
Genome sequencing of correlated pathogenic Escherichia coli and Enterococcus associated with recurrent urinary tract infections 2024 - Journal Article
Daily and Weekly Urine Variations in Bacterial Growth Susceptibility in Postmenopausal Women With no History of Urinary Tract Infection: A Pilot Study. 2024 - Journal Article
Abundant urinary amino acids activate glutamine synthetase-encoding glnA by two different mechanisms in Escherichia coli. 2024 - Journal Article
Genome sequencing of correlated pathogenic Escherichia coli and Enterococcus associated with recurrent urinary tract infections. 2024 - Journal Article