Esther S. Bullitt, PhD

Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Structural studies of biological macromolecular assemblies are providing an understanding of cellular function. In our laboratory, we utilize electron microscopy and image reconstruction to investigate questions about microbial virulence.

Work in the lab currently focuses on bacterial adhesion pili (fimbriae), type III secretion system needles, and virus replication. These projects address basic medical research questions directed at understanding bacterial adhesion to human host tissue and viral replication. Our data support development of novel therapeutics targeting these important health issues including, for example, development of a vaccine against traveler’s diarrhea.

Publications

  • Published 6/17/2024

    Gagnon KA, Huang J, Hix OT, Hui VW, Hinds A, Bullitt E, Eyckmans J, Kotton DN, Chen CS. Multicompartment duct platform to study epithelial-endothelial crosstalk associated with lung adenocarcinoma. APL Bioeng. 2024 Jun; 8(2):026126. PMID: 38911024.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 8/19/2023

    Jayaraman S, Urdaneta A, Bullitt E, Fändrich M, Gursky O. Lipid clearance and amyloid formation by serum amyloid A: exploring the links between beneficial and pathologic actions of an enigmatic protein. J Lipid Res. 2023 Sep; 64(9):100429. PMID: 37604227.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/22/2023

    Thairatana S, Doran M, Sonani RR, Egelman EH, Bullitt E. New Morphologies of Hib Adhesion Pili. Microsc Microanal. 2023 Jul 22; 29(29 Suppl 1):937. PMID: 37613394.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/22/2023

    Klimtchuk ES, Peterle D, Bullitt E, Connors LH, Engen JR, Gursky O. Role of complementarity-determining regions 1 and 3 in pathologic amyloid formation by human immunoglobulin ?1 light chains. Amyloid. 2023 Dec; 30(4):364-378. PMID: 37216473.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/30/2023

    Doran MH, Baker JL, Dahlberg T, Andersson M, Bullitt E. Three structural solutions for bacterial adhesion pilus stability and superelasticity. Structure. 2023 May 04; 31(5):529-540.e7. PMID: 37001523.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 74 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Graduate Faculty (Primary Mentor of Grad Students)
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences

Websites

Education

  • Brandeis University, PhD
  • Grinnell College, AB

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