Dr. Niesel’s laboratory has investigated the pathogenesis of Gram
positive (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and Gram negative pathogens
(Salmonella, Shigella) for more than 30 years. He has performed studies
investigating gene expression in vivo and in
microgravity environments, early host immune responses to bacterial
infection, rapid methods to detect antibiotic resistance, and mechanisms
of attenuation and pre‐vaccine development. He holds four patents
including a one pending for a rapid (10‐90
minutes) novel sensitive method (down to 10‐18M) for antibiotic
resistance detection in complex populations of bacteria. He has worked
with tier one select agents in the high biocontainment facilities at the
Galveston National Laboratory.