Joerg Overhage
Associate Professor
| Degrees: | MSc & PhD (University of Münster, Germany) |
| Phone: | 613-520-2600 x 4090 |
| Email: | JoergOverhage@cunet.carleton.ca |
| Website: | http://overhagelab.com |
Primary field of Specialization:
Molecular Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Research Interests:
My research interests lie in analysing the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of chronic, antimicrobial resistant and therefore often difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. The establishment and resistance of such chronic infections are influenced by a combination of host-derived factors, host-pathogen and inter-pathogen interactions, and other environmental factors and signals.
The aims of my research program are to:
1) investigate how pathogens interact with the host environment
2) identify the genes underlying bacterial adaptations
3) develop an understanding of the key molecular switches, stress-inducing factors and virulence-attenuating effectors that lead to antimicrobial resistance and bacterial persistence
4) develop novel antimicrobial strategies to combat multi-drug resistant infections
Overall, I believe that a better knowledge of microbial adaptation processes and regulatory networks involved in adaptation to the human host, stress responses, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm development, will provide the basis for understanding and controlling chronic infections and to overcome resistance development and persistency in such infections.
List of Publications:
Clamens, T, T. Rosay, A. Crépin, T. Grandjean, T. Kentache, J. Hardouin, P. Bortolotti, A. Neidig, M. Mooij, M. Hillion, J. Vieillard, P. Cosette, J. Overhage, Fergal O’Gara, E. Bouffartigues, A. Dufour, S. Chevalier, B. Guery, P. Cornelis, M.G. Feuilloley, O. Lesouhaitier. 2017. The aliphatic amidase AmiE is involved in regulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence. Scientific Reports 7:41178.
Tettmann, B., C. Niewerth, F. Kirschhöfer, A. Neidig, A. Dötsch, G. Brenner-Weiss, S. Fetzner, J. Overhage. 2016. Enzyme-mediated quenching of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) promotes biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Frontiers in Microbiology 7:1978.
Berditsch, M., T. Jäger, N. Strempel, T. Schwartz, J. Overhage, A.S. Ulrich. 2015. Synergistic Effect of Membrane Active Peptides Polymyxin B and Gramicidin S on Multidrug Resistant Strains and Biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 59:5288-96.
Strempel, N., J. Strehmel, J. Overhage. 2015. Potential application of antimicrobial peptides in the treatment of bacterial biofilm infections. Current Pharmaceutical Design 21:67-84.
Strehmel, J., A. Neidig, M. Nusser, R. Geffers, G. Brenner-Weiss, J. Overhage. 2015. The sensor kinase PA4398 modulates swarming motility and biofilm in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 81:1274-85.38.
Yeung, A.T., L. Janot, O.M. Pena, A. Neidig, I. Kukavica-Ibrulj, A. Hilchie, R.C. Levesque, J. Overhage*, R.E. Hancock*. 2014. Requirement of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa CbrA sensor kinase for full virulence in a murine acute lung infection model. Infection and Immunity 82:1256-67. (*joint senior authors)
Tettmann, B., A. Dötsch, O. Armant, C.D. Fjell, J. Overhage. Knock-out of extracytoplasmic function sigma factor ECF-10 affects stress resistance and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 80:4911-9.
Strempel, N, A. Neidig, M. Nusser, R. Geffers, J. Vieillard, O. Lesouhaitier, G. Brenner-Weiss, J. Overhage. 2013. Human host defense peptide LL-37 stimulates virulence factor production and adaptive resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PLoS One 8:e82240
Neidig A, A.T. Yeung, T. Rosay, B. Tettmann, N. Strempel, M. Rueger, O. Lesouhaitier, J. Overhage. 2013. TypA is involved in virulence, antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BMC Microbiology 13:77.
Breidenstein E.B., L. Janot, J. Strehmel, L. Fernandez, P.K. Taylor, I. Kukavica-Ibrulj, S.L. Gellatly, R.C. Levesque, J. Overhage, R.E. Hancock. 2012. The Lon protease is essential for full virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PLoS One 7:e49123.
Adamek, M, J. Overhage, S. Bathe, J. Winter, R. Fischer, T. Schwartz. 2011. Genotyping of environmental and clinical Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates and their pathogenic potential. PLoS One 6:e27615.
Yeung A.T.Y., E.C.W. Torfs, F. Jamshidi, M. Bains, I. Wiegand, R.E.W. Hancock, J. Overhage. 2009. Swarming of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is controlled by a complex regulatory network. Journal of Bacteriology 191:5592-602.
Breidenstein, E.B., B.K. Khaira, I. Wiegand, J. Overhage, R.E.W. Hancock. 2008. Complex ciprofloxacin resistome revealed by screening a Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutant library for altered susceptibility. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 52:4486-91.
Overhage, J., A. Campisano, M. Bains, E.C. Torfs, B.H.A. Rehm, R.E.W. Hancock. 2008. Human host defence peptide LL-37 prevents bacterial biofilm formation. Infection and Immunity 76:4176-82.