Educational Background:

B.S. 1999  University of Delaware

Ph. D.  2006 Cornell University

NIH Postdoctoral Fellow:  University of Wisconsin

Research Description:

The Donato lab focuses on applying functional metagenomics to explore chemical processes used by bacteria to survive in diverse habitats.  Current projects are aimed at the discovery and subsequent characterization of genes that confer antibiotic resistance on their host bacteria.  Using this approach, we have successfully identified novel resistance genes from bacteria found in soil and the human body.  Detailed information regarding the nature of resistance genes will help guide researchers in both the development of new antibiotics as well as strategies to manage the use of those antibiotics.  Future studies will build on this work to identify genetic elements involved in bacterial detoxification of other chemicals.