Scholars

overview

The primary interest of our laboratory is to try to understand the structural function of the extracellular matrix. Of particular interest is the study of the molecular mechanisms of microbial adhesion to host tissue. This process, which is believed to represent a critical initial step in the development of infections, involves specific cell-surface proteins that recognize and bind with a high affinity to components in the host tissue. Our goal is to decipher these events at a molecular level and, based on structural analysis of the interacting components, design new strategies to prevent and treat infections.

education and training

Ph.D. in , Uppsala University - (Uppsala, Sweden) 1974
B.S. in , Uppsala University - (Uppsala, Sweden) 1971

selected publications

Academic Articles325

Pagba, C. V., Gupta, A. K., Naji, A. K., van der Hoeven, D., Churion, K., Liang, X., ... Gorfe, A. A. (2022). KRAS Inhibitor that Simultaneously Inhibits Nucleotide Exchange Activity and Effector Engagement.. 2(6), 617-626.
Negrn, O., Hur, W. S., Prasad, J., Paul, D. S., Rowe, S. E., Degen, J. L., ... Flick, M. J. (2022). Fibrin(ogen) engagement of S. aureus promotes the host antimicrobial response and suppression of microbe dissemination following peritoneal infection.. PLoS Pathogens. 18(1), e1010227-e1010227.
Picker, J., Lan, Z., Arora, S., Green, M., Hahn, M., Cosgriff-Hernandez, E., & Hook, M. (2022). Prokaryotic Collagen-Like Proteins as Novel Biomaterials.. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 10, 840939.
Borza, C. M., Bolas, G., Zhang, X., Browning Monroe, M. B., Zhang, M., Meiler, J., ... Pozzi, A. (2022). The Collagen Receptor Discoidin Domain Receptor 1b Enhances Integrin 1-Mediated Cell Migration by Interacting With Talin and Promoting Rac1 Activation.. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 10, 836797.
Thomas, S., Arora, S., Liu, W., Churion, K., Wu, Y., & Hk, M. (2021). vhp Is a Fibrinogen-Binding Protein Related to vWbp in Staphylococcus aureus.. mBio. 12(4), e0116721-e01121.

Chapters14

Visai, L., Ferrari, D., Barbu, E. M., Liang, X., Ganesh, V. K., Hk, M., & Imbriani, M. (2014). Staphylococcal biofilm formation and development: Related diseases, host immune responses and therapy. Prokaryotes: Physiology, Biochemistry and Cell Behavior. 1-33.
Shinomura, T., Ito, K., & Hk, M. (2002). Differential gene trap: A new strategy for identifying genes regulated during cartilage differentiation. The Many Faces of Osteoarthritis. 309-311. Springer Nature.
Gurusiddappa, S., Xu, Y. i., Rich, R. L., Owens, R. T., Keene, D. R., Mayne, R., Hk, A., & Hk, M. (2001). The Synthesis of Collagen Peptides and Characterization of Their Inhibitory Effects on the Collagen Binding Activities of Integrins 11 and 21. Peptides: The Wave of the Future. 735-736. Springer Nature.
Foster, T. J., & Hk, M. (2000). Molecular Basis of Adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to Biomaterials. Infections Associated with Indwelling Medical Devices. 27-39. American Society for Microbiology.
Gurusiddappa, S., & Hk, M. (1994). Synthetic Peptides Mimic the Active Sites of Fibronectin Receptors from Gram-Positive Bacteria. Peptides. 251-257. Springer Nature.

Conference Papers9

Hk, M., Smeds, E., Ganesh, V., Francis, P., Ko, Y. P., Ross, C., & Kang, M. (2011). MSCRAMMS in staphylococcal Bone infections. European Cells and Materials. 21(SUPPL.2), 12.
Francis, M. P., Vazquez, V., Vannakambadi, G., & Hk, M. (2011). Sequence changes in the isoforms of staphylococcal MSCRAMMs Bbp/SdrE affect ligand specificity. European Cells and Materials. 21(SUPPL.2), 48.
Hk, M. (2008). The role of MSCRAMMs in staphylococcal skeletal infections. European Cells and Materials. 16(SUPPL. 4), 11.
Peterson, S. B., Ferdous, Z., Hk, M., & Grande-Allen, K. J. (2007). Decorin Deficient Cells Demonstrate Increased Proliferation and Altered Phenotypic Properties. ASME 2007 Summer Bioengineering Conference. 985-986.
Simpson, K. H., Bowden, G., Hook, M., & Anvari, B. (2003). Optical measurements of dynamic adhesive forces between bacteria and protein-coated surfaces. Proceedings of SPIE, Manipulation and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues. 4962, 263-270.