Jeroen De Buck

Professor, Veterinary Microbiology

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Address: HRIC GA18, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W.

Phone: (403)220-5393 / (403) 210-6310 (lab)

Fax: (403) 210-6693

Email: jdebuck@ucalgary.ca

Curriculum Vitae

• MSc in Bioengineering Science, University of Ghent, Belgium, 1999
• MSc in Laboratory Animal Science, University of Ghent, Belgium, 2004
• PhD in Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Belgium, 2004

https://vet.ucalgary.ca/contact-us/jeroen-de-buck

The bacterial cell envelope is a central point of interaction between the bacterium and its environment and has been implicated in many aspects of the pathogenicity and host adaptation of mycobacteria. Cell envelope proteins perform numerous and important functions including adhesion to host tissues, nutrient acquisition and interaction with host defenses. The protein fractions of the cell envelope of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (Map) is poorly characterized. Despite the biological relevance of bacterial surface proteins, very few techniques have been developed to identify surface exposed proteins (SEPs). Ruminant intestinal infection with Map has been studied to some extent, but still very little is known about their molecular mechanisms of intestinal invasion and colonization. I anticipate an important role in these mechanisms for SEPs and undiscovered adhesins. The goals of my research program are to: 1) develop techniques and protocols to discover SEPs and adhesins, 2) identify the complete set of SEPs and adhesins, and 3) identify whether SEP components are involved in the induction or modulation of host immune responses. On a long term, I want to study the role of a distinct subset of discovered surface proteins and adhesins in pathogenesis and host and environmental adaptation. Additionally, I want to use gel-less proteomic techniques to differentiate Map strains in terms of host specificity.

I am interested in host/pathogen interaction of zoonotic or potentially zoonotic bacteria. At the appropriate time, I'd like to expand my research program to Campylobacter jejuni and coli, again by studying SEPs and their interaction with host tissues.