ABOUT
Christopher Waters is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. His research focuses on understanding the role that chemical signaling plays in bacterial pathogenesis and developing new strategies to disrupt this signaling to control bacterial disease. In cancer, the lab’s goal is to develop novel immunotherapy treatments.
Dr. Waters received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, and completed his postdoctoral training at Princeton University.
RESEARCH
The Waters Lab studies the chemical signal called cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). C-di-GMP is an essential regulator in V. cholerae of the transition from the biofilm state in the environment to the motile, virulent state in the small intestine. C-di-GMP signaling systems are found in 80% of all bacteria; however, a number of fundamental questions about the properties underpinning c-di-GMP signaling systems remain unanswered. The Waters laboratory seeks to answer some of these questions and also develop new technology targeting c-di-GMP to control disease. In collaboration with other laboratories, they are developing an adenoviral delivery technology that activates the tumor microenvironment and could serve as a novel cancer immunotherapy treatment.
