Alfredo Torres, PhD

Alfredo G. Torres, PhD, MS
The Herman Barnett Distinguished Professor in Microbiology and Immunology
Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Academic Enterprise
University of Texas Medical Branch
301 University Blvd MRB 4.142G
Galveston, Tx 77555-1070
Phone: (409) 747-0189; Fax (409) 747-6869

Education
Post-doctoral Fellowship University of Maryland School of Medicine	2003 Baltimore, MD
PhD, Molecular Biology University of Texas at Austin	1999 Austin, TX
MS, Microbiology Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla	1995 Puebla, Mexico
BS, Chemistry, Pharmacology and Biology Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla	1992 Puebla, Mexico

Research Interests
Diarrheal pathogens, mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis, biodefense-related microorganisms

Current Research
The Torres lab is pursuing studies to understand the pathogenic process of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and other pathogenic E. coli strains, and the interaction of these pathogens with the intestinal mucosa, with most of these studies combining genetic approaches and animal model testing. Further, the laboratory has made significant progress in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of Burkholderia mallei and B. pseudomallei, with a special emphasis in defining the immune responses to infection, allowing us to test multiple virulence factors as vaccine candidates and other therapeutic approaches to protect against Burkholderia aerosol infections. The research group has contributed to the knowledge of pathogenic E. coli virulence factors, particularly those adhesins associated with human infections, to define the bacterial factors mediating intestinal tissue tropism, and to our understanding of immunogenic antigens and their value as vaccine candidates. In the case of Burkholderia pathogenesis, we have advanced the field of host immune responses to infection, and have identified novel immunogenic antigens as effective vaccine candidates.

Current Research

The Torres lab is pursuing studies to understand the pathogenic process of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and other pathogenic E. coli strains, and the interaction of these pathogens with the intestinal mucosa, with most of these studies combining genetic approaches and animal model testing. Further, the laboratory has made significant progress in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of Burkholderia mallei and B. pseudomallei, with a special emphasis in defining the immune responses to infection, allowing us to test multiple virulence factors as vaccine candidates and other therapeutic approaches to protect against Burkholderia aerosol infections. The research group has contributed to the knowledge of pathogenic E. coli virulence factors, particularly those adhesins associated with human infections, to define the bacterial factors mediating intestinal tissue tropism, and to our understanding of immunogenic antigens and their value as vaccine candidates. In the case of Burkholderia pathogenesis, we have advanced the field of host immune responses to infection, and have identified novel immunogenic antigens as effective vaccine candidates.

Publications
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