Kevin

Hybiske

PhD

related links

bio

Dr. Hybiske studies the pathogenesis of human chlamydial infections. The bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) throughout the world. Chlamydia infection rates are high and continue to rise. Prior to COVID, Chlamydia infections were the most commonly reported infection in the US. Chlamydia disproportionately affects young women and people from disadvantaged backgrounds for the development of severe reproductive outcomes. While effective treatments exist, there is no preventative vaccine, and much remains to be learned about how this pathogen causes disease in humans.

The goals of our research are to define the critical bacterial and host factors responsible for Chlamydia infections and chronic clinical outcomes. We approach this by investigating the elusive mechanisms of Chlamydia pathogenesis, such as how the bacterium manipulates many aspects of host cell function. 

research interests:

The Hybiske Lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of Chlamydia pathogenesis, including sexually transmitted infections. Our ultimate goals are to identify new therapeutic targets against this major pathogen, and to contribute to our broader understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of intracellular bacteria. Current research projects include:

• Using functional genomics to discovery Chlamydia virulence factors
• Development of genetic tools for the study of Chlamydia pathogenesis
• Host-pathogen interactions
• Human chlamydial infections
• Structure-function analysis of Chlamydia proteins
• ChlamBase: a curated model organism database for the Chlamydia research community

Education & Training

BS, University of California, Berkeley (1996)

PhD, University of California, Berkeley (2003)

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, San Francisco and Berkeley (2003-2008)

Honors:

publications: