Ann Stevens

Professor

TPS Affiliate Faculty

Department of Biological Sciences

In Dr. Ann Stevens lab, research is conducted in the general field of molecular microbiology, with a focus on bacterial environmental sensing and gene regulation.  Research projects primarily examine the phenomenon of bacterial quorum sensing, a bacterial cellular communiation mechanism using small molecules called autoinducers.  Her lab's priority is to understanding this mode of bacterial signal transduction and gene regulation in order to discover a way to manipulate it in ways that are beneficial to society.  The resulting goal of this knowledge is to inhibit the destructive activities of disease-causing pathogenic bacteria and to enhance the beneficial activities of symbiotic bacteria. 

Research Interests

Molecular microbiology, bacterial environmental sensing, gene regulation