Josephine Clark-Curtiss
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Phone: 480-727-0490
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BDA 310A TEMPE, AZ 85287-5401
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Josephine Clark-Curtiss is currently a professor of medicine with the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine with the University of Florida.
Dr. Clark-Curtiss initiated her research career during her PhD studies at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia. She then joined the research group of Roy Curtiss III at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for postdoctoral studies, initially analyzing the genetic bases for transfer of antibiotic resistance (R) plasmids among enterobacteria. With the inception of recombinant DNA technology, she became part of the Curtiss research team that constructed and characterized the first biologically contained “safe” strains c1776 and DP50 of Escherichia coli that, for a time, were the only approved bacterial strains with which investigators throughout the U.S. could conduct recombinant DNA research in the late 1970s.
Dr. Clark-Curtiss subsequently utilized recombinant DNA techniques to conduct research on mycobacteria, beginning in the early 1980s, when she and her colleagues constructed the first recombinant DNA libraries of any mycobacterial strain, thereby initiating molecular genetics research on Mycobacterium leprae and later, on M. tuberculosis and M. avium.
Clark-Curtiss and her research group were among the first to identify specific genes that encoded M. leprae proteins and they were the first to demonstrate the presence of a repeated DNA sequence in the chromosome of M. leprae (now known as Rlep, which is used for the diagnosis of leprosy). Using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of genomes from M. leprae isolates from all over the world, Dr. Clark-Curtiss showed that the M. leprae genome is remarkably stable genetically. Dr. Clark-Curtiss’ research group was the first to identify genes encoding antigens of M. leprae that were recognized by antibodies in the sera of leprosy patients.
BS, Biology, St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
PhD, Microbiology, Medical College of Georgia, August, GA
Currently, in collaboration with Roy Curtiss III, the Clark-Curtiss group is developing a safe, efficacious vaccine to protect humans against infections by M. tuberculosis, using recombinant, attenuated Salmonella vaccine (RASV) strains to deliver M. tuberculosis protective antigens. The RASV strains are engineered to behave like wild-type Salmonella as they traverse the mammalian gastrointestinal tract after oral inoculation, but then, using regulated delayed technologies, to begin synthesizing the antigens after the RASVs have colonized internal lymphoid tissues.
The RASVs are also engineered to undergo regulated delayed lysis in vivo, to preclude long-term colonization of the immunized host and to release the synthesized antigens into the cytosol of the host cells, to elicit both humoral (antibody) and cell-mediated immune responses. Several of the RASV-M. tuberculosis constructs provide protection in mice against aerosol challenges with virulent M. tuberculosis that is equivalent to or slightly better than that conferred by M. bovis BCG, which is regarded as the “gold standard” for vaccines against M. tuberculosis.
The Clark-Curtiss research group is continuing to improve the RASV and is also analyzing the protective capabilities of nine other M. tuberculosis antigens for possible incorporation into candidate RASV-M. tuberculosis constructs.
- Kong, Wei, Josephine Clark-Curtiss and R. Curtiss 3rd. Utilizing Salmonella for antigen delivery:the aims and benefits of bacterial delivered vaccination. Expert Review of Vaccines (2013).
- Haydel, Shelley E., Vandana Malhotra, Garrett L. Cornelison and Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss. The PrrAB two component system is essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis viability and is induced under nitrogen-limiting conditions. Journal of Bacteriology (2012).
- Kong, Wei, Matthew Brovold, Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss and Roy Curtiss 3rd. Turning self-destructing Salmonella into a universal DNA vaccine delivery platform. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A (2012).
- Malhotra, Vandana, Blessing P. Okon and Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss. Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein kinase K enables growth adaptation through translation control. Journal of Bacteriology (2012).
- Maria Dolores Juarez-Rodriguez, Jiseon Yang, Rebin Kader, Praveen Alamuri, Roy Curtiss III and Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss. Live attenuated Salmonella vaccines displaying regulated delayed lysis and regulated antigen synthesis to confer protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infection and Immunity (2012).
- Maria Dolores Juarez-Rodriguez, Lourdes T. Arteaga-Cortes, Rebin Kader, Roy Curtiss III and Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss. Live attenuated Salmonella vaccines against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Antigen delivery via Type III secretion. Infection and Immunity (2012).
- Guang Zhao, Wei Kong, Natasha Weatherspoon-Griffin, Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss and Yixin Shi. Mg2+ facilitates leader peptide translation to induce riboswitch-mediated transcription termination. EMBO Journal (2011).
- Vandana Malhotra, Lourdes T. Arteaga-Cortes, Gwendolyn Clay, Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss. Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein kinase K confers survival advantage during early infection in mice and regulates growth in culture and during persistent infection: implications for immune modulation. Microbiology (2010).
- Shaleen B. Korch, Heidi Contreras, Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss. Three Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rel toxin-antitoxin modules inhibit mycobacterial growth and ar expressed in infected human macrophages. Journal of Bacteriology (2009).
- Vandana Malhotra, Jaya S. Tyagi, Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss. DevR-mediated adaptive response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra: Links to asparagine metabolism. Tuberculosis (Edinb) (2009).
- S Haydel, Josephine Clark-Curtiss. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis TrcR response regulator represses the expression of a seven-bladed ß-propeller protein. J. Bacteriol (2006).
- S Haydel, Josephine Clark-Curtiss. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis TrcR response regulator represses transcription of the intracellularly expressed Rv1057 gene, encoding a seven-bladed ß-propeller. Journal of Bacteriology (2006).
- S Haydel, Josephine Clark-Curtiss. Global analysis of two-component system regulator genes during Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth in human macrophages. FEMS Microbiol. Lett (2004).
- Clark-Curtiss, Josephine E (Author) ,DesJardin, L E (Author) . Analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis gene expression in the human host. Tuberculosis: The Microbe:Host Interface (2004).
- Josephine Clark-Curtiss, S Haydel. Molecular genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis. Annu. Rev. Microbiol (2003).
- . . Molecular genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis (2003).
- F Daigle, J Hou, Josephine Clark-Curtiss. Microbial gene expression elucidated by selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS). Meth. Enz (2002).
- J Hou, J Graham, Josephine Clark-Curtiss. Gene expression in Mycobacterium avium during growth in human macrophages detected by selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS). Infect. Immun (2002).
- Shelley Haydel, W Benjamin, N Dunlap, Josephine Clark-Curtiss. Expression, autoregulation, and DNA binding properties of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis TrcR response regulator. J. Bacteriol (2002).
- Curtiss III,Roy*, Clark-Curtiss,Josephine E. Recombinant Attenuated Salmonella Vaccines for Humans. HHS-NIH-NIAID(6/15/2014 - 5/31/2015).
- Clark-Curtiss,Josephine E*. Support research which may lead to new antibiotics for Tuberculosis. AZ COMMUNITY FDN(11/1/2011 - 11/30/2012).
- Curtiss III,Roy*, Clark-Curtiss,Josephine E. Recombinant Attenuated Salmonella Vaccines for Humans. HHS-NIH-NIAID(6/1/2008 - 5/31/2014).
- Clark-Curtiss,Josephine E*. Gene Expression in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. HHS-NIH-NIAID(2/1/2005 - 11/30/2011).
- Curtiss III,Roy*, Clark-Curtiss,Josephine E. Recombinant Attenuated Salmonella Vaccines for Humans. HHS-NIH-NIAID(1/1/2005 - 5/31/2008).
- Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss, Maria Dolores Juarez-Rodriguez, Jiseon Yang, Rebin Kader, Praveen Alamuri and Roy Curtiss III. Live Recombinant Attenuated Salmonella Vaccines against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Fifth Vaccine and International Vaccine Society Annual Global Congress (Oct 2011).
- Vandana Malhora, James A. Megehee, Jr., T. Duncan and J.E. Clark-Curtiss. Mycobacterium tuberculosis response regulator NarL in the regulation of nitrate metabolism. Keystone Symposium on Mycobacteria: Physiology, metabolism and Pathogenesis – Back to the Basics (Jan 2011).
- Vandana Malhotra, Lourdes Arteaga-C, Gwendolyn Clay and Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss. A role for Protein Kinase K of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in regulating metabolic adaptation during stationary phase. Keystone Symposium: Overcoming the Crisis of TB and AIDS (Oct 2009).
- Vandana Malhotra, Gwendolyn Clay, Lourdes Arteaga-Cortes, Josephine E. Clark-Curtiss. Global expression profiling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Serine/Threonine protein kinases with emphasis on functional characterization of Protein Kinase K. Keystone Symposium on Tuberculosis: Biology, Pathology and Therapy (Jan 2009).
- Malhotra, Vandana, Arteaga-C, Lourdes, Clark-Curtiss, Josephine. Differential gene expression analysis of Serine/Threonine protein kinases in. ICGEB International TB Symposium - 2006 (Dec 2006).
- Juarez-Rodriguez, Maria, Clark-Curtiss, Josephine, Torres-Escobar, Ascension, Curtiss, Roy. Development of Recombinant Attenuated Salmonella Vaccines (RASV) to Deliver Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6-CFP10 Antigens by the Type III Secretion System. American Society for Microbiology General Meeting
- National Institutes of Health Study Section ZRG1 F-13C (20), Member (2010 - Present)
- National Institutes of Health Special Study Sections to review ARRA applications, Ad hoc Reviewer (2009 - Present)
- Molecular Cell Biology Graduate Program Admissions Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Molecular Cell Biology Graduate Program Admissions Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Molecular Cell Biology Graduate Program Admissions Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Molecular Cell Biology Graduate Program Admissions Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Molecular Cell Biology Graduate Program Admissions Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Microbiology Graduate Program Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Microbiology Graduate Program Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Microbiology Graduate Program Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Microbiology Graduate Program Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Microbiology Graduate Program Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Microbiology Graduate Program Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty of SoLS, Faculty Leader (2007 - Present)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty of SoLS, Faculty Leader (2007 - Present)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty of SoLS, Faculty Leader (2007 - Present)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty of SoLS, Faculty Leader (2007 - Present)
- SoLS Executive Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- SoLS Executive Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- SoLS Executive Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- SoLS Executive Committee, Member (2007 - Present)
- Pandemic Flu Working Group, Member (2006 - Present)
- Pandemic Flu Working Group, Member (2006 - Present)
- Pandemic Flu Working Group, Member (2006 - Present)
- Pandemic Flu Working Group, Member (2006 - Present)
- Pandemic Flu Working Group, Member (2006 - Present)
- Pandemic Flu Working Group, Member (2006 - Present)
- Barrett College Honors Disciplinary Advisors, Advisor for Microbiology Honors Students (2006 - Present)
- Barrett College Honors Disciplinary Advisors, Advisor for Microbiology Honors Students (2006 - Present)
- Barrett College Honors Disciplinary Advisors, Advisor for Microbiology Honors Students (2006 - Present)
- Barrett College Honors Disciplinary Advisors, Advisor for Microbiology Honors Students (2006 - Present)
- Barrett College Honors Disciplinary Advisors, Advisor for Microbiology Honors Students (2006 - Present)
- Barrett College Honors Disciplinary Advisors, Advisor for Microbiology Honors Students (2006 - Present)
- National Institutes of Health Topics in Bacterial Pathogenesis Study Section, Member (2006 - Present)
- Tuberculosis, Ad hoc Reviewer (2006 - Present)
- Tuberculosis, Ad hoc Reviewer (2006 - Present)
- Tuberculosis, Ad hoc Reviewer (2006 - Present)
- Tuberculosis, Reviewer of manuscripts (2006 - Present)
- Tuberculosis, Reviewer of manuscripts (2006 - Present)
- Tuberculosis, Reviewer of manuscripts (2006 - Present)
- Promotions and Tenure Committee for the Molecular Cell Biology Faculty of SoLS, Member (2005 - Present)
- Promotions and Tenure Committee for the Molecular Cell Biology Faculty of SoLS, Member (2005 - Present)
- Promotions and Tenure Committee for the Molecular Cell Biology Faculty of SoLS, Member (2005 - Present)
- Promotions and Tenure Committee for the Molecular Cell Biology Faculty of SoLS, Member (2005 - Present)
- Promotions and Tenure Committee for the Molecular Cell Biology Faculty of SoLS, Member (2005 - Present)
- Promotions and Tenure Committee for the Molecular Cell Biology Faculty of SoLS, Member (2005 - Present)
- Search Committee for Tenure Track Faculty member of SoLS in Metabolic Biology, Member of the Search Committee (2005 - Present)
- Molecular Microbiology, Reviewer of manuscripts (2004 - Present)
- Molecular Microbiology, Reviewer of manuscripts (2004 - Present)
- Molecular Microbiology, Reviewer of manuscripts (2004 - Present)
- Molecular Microbiology, Reviewer of manuscripts (2004 - Present)
- Molecular Microbiology, Reviewer of manuscripts (2004 - Present)
- Molecular Microbiology, Reviewer of manuscripts (2004 - Present)
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Reviewer of manuscripts (2000 - Present)
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Reviewer of manuscripts (2000 - Present)
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Reviewer of manuscripts (2000 - Present)
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Reviewer of manuscripts (2000 - Present)
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Reviewer of manuscripts (2000 - Present)
- Infection and Immunity, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Infection and Immunity, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Infection and Immunity, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Infection and Immunity, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Infection and Immunity, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Infection and Immunity, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Journal of Bacteriology, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Journal of Bacteriology, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Journal of Bacteriology, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Journal of Bacteriology, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Journal of Bacteriology, Reviewer of manuscripts (1991 - Present)
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty of SoLS, Faculty Leader (2007 - 2012)
- SoLS Executive Committee, Member (2007 - 2012)
- Research and Training Initiatives Committee for SoLS, Member (2005 - 2007)
- Search Committee for Tenure Track Faculty member of SoLS in Bioenergy, Member of Search Committee (2006 - 2007)
- American Society for Microbiology, Councilor for Division U (Mycobacteriology) (2004 - 2006)
- Search Committee for Tenure Track Faculty member of SoLS in Bacterial Pathogenesis, Member of the Search Committee (2005 - 2005)
- Search Committe for tenure-track Assistant Professor in SoLS, Chair (2004 - 2005)