Biography
John H. Adams, PhD joined the
University of South Florida College of Public Health Infectious Diseases
Research program in June 2007 and previously was at the University of Notre
Dame for 16 years. He was trained in basic parasitology (BA 1978, Hendrix
College; PhD 1985, University of Illinois; 1986-87, Postdoctoral Fellow,
University of Queensland) and in molecular approaches to malaria at National
Institutes of Health, 1987-1991.
Research interests:
My research program
focuses on two broad areas in malaria parasite biology, host-parasite
interactions and understanding the critical metabolic processes important for
infection and pathogenesis. The basic science research in my group seeks to
better understand the complex biology that enables parasites to progress so
successfully through its life with such devastating consequences on human
health. Since malaria remains one of the leading causes of human morbidity and
mortality, our goal is to use the knowledge of its vulnerable biological
processes to support translational discovery projects to improve antimalarial
drugs and vaccines targeting critical stages of Plasmodium falciparum and P.
vivax. Our vaccine studies target invasion ligands used to recognize and
enter host cells while drug studies seek to define genes essential for survival
in humans and optimize antimalarial combination therapies. The drug studies use
forward genetic/ phenotypic screens to delineate mechanisms of action and
identify the genetic basis of metabolic changes associated with drug
resistance. For these efforts my research group has led development and
application of forward genetic screens of the major cause of malaria morbidity
and mortality, P. falciparum, using random piggyBac mutagenesis.
Consequently, our interdisciplinary team with considerable expertise to
integrate different numerous ‘omics in analyses of parasite and infectious
diseases biology.