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Laurie Comstock

TitleProfessor
InstitutionUniversity of Chicago
DepartmentMicrobiology
AddressChicago IL 60637
Phone+1 (773) 7025541
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    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse overview
    The human intestinal microbiota is a complex and dynamic consortium of microbes that is crucial for human health and disease prevention. Our lab has been studying the abundant bacterial members of this ecosystem to understand how they interact with each other both cooperatively and antagonistically to form these health-promoting communities. We use basic microbiological, genetic, biochemical, and gnotobiotic mouse analyses, combined with genomic, metagenomic and computational analyses to understand these complex interactions. We have discovered numerous classes of new antimicrobial proteins that these bacteria use to compete in their ecosystem, and we are studying their mechanisms of action, ecological properties, and how we may translate these molecules for human health benefits. Another focus of the lab is the evolution of microbes in the human gut and how genetic elements horizontally transferred between bacterial species personalize each individual’s gut microbiota and the phenotypes and community benefits conferred by these shared genetic elements.

    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    Brigham and Women's Hospital / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MAPostdoctoral Fellowship1996Bacteroides fragilis genetics
    University of Maryland Medical Center / Center for Vaccine Development , Baltimore, MDPostdoctoral Fellowship1995Vibrio cholerae pathogenesis
    Wake Forest University Medical Center / Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NCPhD1991Microbiology and Immunology
    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NYBS1987Biology

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse research activities and funding
    R01AI181279     (BARQUERA, BLANCA)Jul 8, 2024 - May 31, 2029
    NIH
    Respiration and fitness in Bacteroides
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    R56AI132580     (BARQUERA, BLANCA)Aug 18, 2017 - Jul 31, 2025
    NIH
    Extending the new respiratory paradigm in Bacteroides
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    R01AI132580     (BARQUERA, BLANCA)Aug 18, 2017 - Jul 31, 2021
    NIH
    A new paradigm of respiration in the human gut Bacteroides
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    R01AI120633     (COMSTOCK, LAURIE E)Jun 15, 2015 - May 31, 2021
    NIH
    Contact-Dependent Antagonism in Gut Bacteroidales
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R01AI093771     (COMSTOCK, LAURIE E)Jul 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2028
    NIH
    Protective mechanisms of the gut Bacteroidales
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R01AI081843     (COMSTOCK, LAURIE E)Dec 1, 2009 - Nov 30, 2015
    NIH
    Significance of Bacteroides fragilis polysaccharide phase variation
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R56AI044193     (COMSTOCK, LAURIE E)Jun 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009
    NIH
    Regulation of the multiple polysaccharides of Bacteroides fragilis
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R13AI069760     (COMSTOCK, LAURIE E)May 1, 2006 - Apr 30, 2012
    NIH
    FASEB Summer Conference on Microbial Polysaccharides
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R01AI067711     (COMSTOCK, LAURIE E)Feb 15, 2006 - Jan 31, 2012
    NIH
    Structural, genetic, and functional analyses of the glycoproteins of Bacteroides
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R01AI053694     (COMSTOCK, LAURIE E)Sep 30, 2003 - Jan 31, 2007
    NIH
    Genetic Basis of Abscess Formation by B. fragilis
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R01AI044193     (COMSTOCK, LAURIE E)Feb 1, 1998 - Nov 30, 2011
    NIH
    Regulation of the multiple polysaccharides of Bacteroides fragilis
    Role: Principal Investigator
    F32AI008640     (COMSTOCK, LAURIE E)Sep 30, 1992
    NIH
    ZONULA OCCLUDENS TOXIN OF VIBRIO CHOLERA
    Role: Principal Investigator

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
    Newest   |   Oldest   |   Most Cited   |   Most Discussed   |   Timeline   |   Field Summary   |   Plain Text
    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Saba J, Flores K, Marshall B, Engstrom MD, Peng Y, Garje AS, Comstock LE, Landick R. Bacteroides expand the functional versatility of a conserved transcription factor and transcribed DNA to program capsule diversity. Nat Commun. 2024 12 30; 15(1):10862. PMID: 39738018; PMCID: PMC11685472.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    2. Sheahan ML, Flores K, Coyne MJ, García-Bayona L, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Holst AQ, Smith RC, Sundararajan A, Barquera B, Comstock LE. A ubiquitous mobile genetic element changes the antagonistic weaponry of a human gut symbiont. Science. 2024 10 25; 386(6720):414-420. PMID: 39446952.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    3. Zhang ZJ, Cole CG, Coyne MJ, Lin H, Dylla N, Smith RC, Pappas TE, Townson SA, Laliwala N, Waligurski E, Ramaswamy R, Woodson C, Burgo V, Little JC, Moran D, Rose A, McMillin M, McSpadden E, Sundararajan A, Sidebottom AM, Pamer EG, Comstock LE. Comprehensive analyses of a large human gut Bacteroidales culture collection reveal species- and strain-level diversity and evolution. Cell Host Microbe. 2024 Oct 09; 32(10):1853-1867.e5. PMID: 39293438; PMCID: PMC11466702.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    4. Saba J, Flores K, Marshall B, Engstrom MD, Peng Y, Garje AS, Comstock L, Landick R. Bacteroides expand the functional versatility of a universal transcription factor and transcribed DNA to program capsule diversity. bioRxiv. 2024 Jun 21. PMID: 38948710; PMCID: PMC11213015.
      Citations:    
    5. Abrahamsen HL, Sanford TC, Collamore CE, Johnstone BA, Coyne MJ, García-Bayona L, Christie MP, Evans JC, Farrand AJ, Flores K, Morton CJ, Parker MW, Comstock LE, Tweten RK. Distant relatives of a eukaryotic cell-specific toxin family evolved a complement-like mechanism to kill bacteria. Nat Commun. 2024 Jun 12; 15(1):5028. PMID: 38866748; PMCID: PMC11169675.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    6. Kennedy NW, Comstock LE. Mechanisms of bacterial immunity, protection, and survival during interbacterial warfare. Cell Host Microbe. 2024 Jun 12; 32(6):794-803. PMID: 38870897; PMCID: PMC11216714.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    7. Yuan Y, DeMott MS, Byrne SR, Flores K, Poyet M, Groussin M, Microbiome Conservancy G, Berdy B, Comstock L, Alm EJ, Dedon PC. Phosphorothioate DNA modification by BREX Type 4 systems in the human gut microbiome. bioRxiv. 2024 Jun 03. PMID: 38895356; PMCID: PMC11185695.
      Citations:    
    8. García-Bayona L, Said N, Coyne MJ, Flores K, Elmekki NM, Sheahan ML, Camacho AG, Hutt K, Yildiz FH, Kovács ÁT, Waldor MK, Comstock LE. A pervasive large conjugative plasmid mediates multispecies biofilm formation in the intestinal microbiota increasing resilience to perturbations. bioRxiv. 2024 Apr 29. PMID: 38746121; PMCID: PMC11092513.
      Citations:    
    9. Zhang ZJ, Cole CG, Coyne MJ, Lin H, Dylla N, Smith RC, Waligurski E, Ramaswamy R, Woodson C, Burgo V, Little JC, Moran D, Rose A, McMillin M, McSpadden E, Sundararajan A, Sidebottom AM, Pamer EG, Comstock LE. Comprehensive analyses of a large human gut Bacteroidales culture collection reveal species and strain level diversity and evolution. bioRxiv. 2024 Mar 09. PMID: 38496653; PMCID: PMC10942478.
      Citations:    
    10. Fogarty EC, Schechter MS, Lolans K, Sheahan ML, Veseli I, Moore RM, Kiefl E, Moody T, Rice PA, Yu MK, Mimee M, Chang EB, Ruscheweyh HJ, Sunagawa S, Mclellan SL, Willis AD, Comstock LE, Eren AM. A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut. Cell. 2024 Feb 29; 187(5):1206-1222.e16. PMID: 38428395; PMCID: PMC10973873.
      Citations: 14     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    11. Carasso S, Zaatry R, Hajjo H, Kadosh-Kariti D, Ben-Assa N, Naddaf R, Mandelbaum N, Pressman S, Chowers Y, Gefen T, Jeffrey KL, Jofre J, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE, Sharon I, Geva-Zatorsky N. Inflammation and bacteriophages affect DNA inversion states and functionality of the gut microbiota. Cell Host Microbe. 2024 Mar 13; 32(3):322-334.e9. PMID: 38423015; PMCID: PMC10939037.
      Citations: 15     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    12. Sheahan ML, Coyne MJ, Flores K, Garcia-Bayona L, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Sundararajan A, Holst AQ, Barquera B, Comstock LE. A ubiquitous mobile genetic element disarms a bacterial antagonist of the gut microbiota. bioRxiv. 2023 Aug 26. PMID: 37662397; PMCID: PMC10473720.
      Citations:    
    13. Fogarty EC, Schechter MS, Lolans K, Sheahan ML, Veseli I, Moore R, Kiefl E, Moody T, Rice PA, Yu MK, Mimee M, Chang EB, Mclellan SL, Willis AD, Comstock LE, Eren AM. A highly conserved and globally prevalent cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous mobile genetic elements in the human gut. bioRxiv. 2023 Mar 25. PMID: 36993556; PMCID: PMC10055365.
      Citations:    
    14. Butler NL, Ito T, Foreman S, Morgan JE, Zagorevsky D, Malamy MH, Comstock LE, Barquera B. Bacteroides fragilis Maintains Concurrent Capability for Anaerobic and Nanaerobic Respiration. J Bacteriol. 2023 01 26; 205(1):e0038922. PMID: 36475831; PMCID: PMC9879120.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    15. Evans JC, McEneany VL, Coyne MJ, Caldwell EP, Sheahan ML, Von SS, Coyne EM, Tweten RK, Comstock LE. A proteolytically activated antimicrobial toxin encoded on a mobile plasmid of Bacteroidales induces a protective response. Nat Commun. 2022 07 23; 13(1):4258. PMID: 35871068; PMCID: PMC9308784.
      Citations: 14     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    16. Bao H, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE, García-Bayona L. Analysis of Effector and Immunity Proteins of the GA2 Type VI Secretion Systems of Gut Bacteroidales. J Bacteriol. 2022 07 19; 204(7):e0012222. PMID: 35735993; PMCID: PMC9295542.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    17. Coyne MJ, Comstock LE, Tomek MB, Janesch B, Braun ML, Taschner M, Figl R, Grünwald-Gruber C, Blaukopf M, Altmann F, Kosma P, Kählig H, Schäffer C. A Combination of Structural, Genetic, Phenotypic and Enzymatic Analyses Reveals the Importance of a Predicted Fucosyltransferase to Protein O-Glycosylation in the Bacteroidetes. Biomolecules. 2021 11 30; 11(12). PMID: 34944439; PMCID: PMC8698959.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    18. Matano LM, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE, García-Bayona L. Bacteroidetocins Target the Essential Outer Membrane Protein BamA of Bacteroidales Symbionts and Pathogens. mBio. 2021 10 26; 12(5):e0228521. PMID: 34517753; PMCID: PMC8546649.
      Citations: 12     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    19. Coyne MJ, Comstock LE, García-Bayona L. Mobile Type VI secretion system loci of the gut Bacteroidales display extensive intra-ecosystem transfer, multi-species spread and geographical clustering. PLoS Genet. 2021 04; 17(4):e1009541. PMID: 33901198; PMCID: PMC8102008.
      Citations: 34     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    20. Ben-Assa N, Coyne MJ, Fomenkov A, Livny J, Robins WP, Carey V, Carasso S, Gefen T, Roberts RJ, Comstock LE, Geva-Zatorsky N, Muniesa M, Jofre J. Analysis of a phase-variable restriction modification system of the human gut symbiont Bacteroides fragilis. Nucleic Acids Res. 2020 11 04; 48(19):11040-11053. PMID: 33045731; PMCID: PMC7641763.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    21. Smith WPJ, Brodmann M, Unterweger D, Comstock LE, Basler M, Foster KR, Davit Y. The evolution of tit-for-tat in bacteria via the type VI secretion system. Nat Commun. 2020 10 26; 11(1):5395. PMID: 33106492; PMCID: PMC7589516.
      Citations: 28     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    22. Coyne MJ, Hantman N, Montero-Llopis P, Von SS, Ito T, Malamy MH, Basler M, Barquera B, Comstock LE, García-Bayona L. Nanaerobic growth enables direct visualization of dynamic cellular processes in human gut symbionts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 09 29; 117(39):24484-24493. PMID: 32938803; PMCID: PMC7533675.
      Citations: 16     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    23. Smith WPJ, Vettiger A, Winter J, Ryser T, Comstock LE, Basler M, Foster KR. The evolution of the type VI secretion system as a disintegration weapon. PLoS Biol. 2020 05; 18(5):e3000720. PMID: 32453732; PMCID: PMC7274471.
      Citations: 48     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    24. Ito T, Gallegos R, Matano LM, Butler NL, Hantman N, Kaili M, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE, Malamy MH, Barquera B. Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of Anaerobic Respiration in Bacteroides fragilis and Its Importance In Vivo. mBio. 2020 02 04; 11(1). PMID: 32019804; PMCID: PMC7002350.
      Citations: 28     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    25. Comstock LE, García-Bayona L. Utilizing Ribose Compounds: How Bacteroides PUL It Off. Cell Host Microbe. 2020 01 08; 27(1):6-8. PMID: 31951823.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    26. Comstock LE, García-Bayona L. Streamlined Genetic Manipulation of Diverse Bacteroides and Parabacteroides Isolates from the Human Gut Microbiota. mBio. 2019 08 13; 10(4). PMID: 31409684; PMCID: PMC6692515.
      Citations: 65     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    27. Coyne MJ, Matano LM, McEneany VL, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Comstock LE, Béchon N. A family of anti-Bacteroidales peptide toxins wide-spread in the human gut microbiota. Nat Commun. 2019 08 01; 10(1):3460. PMID: 31371723; PMCID: PMC6671954.
      Citations: 42     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    28. Shumaker AM, Laclare McEneany V, Coyne MJ, Silver PA, Comstock LE. Identification of a Fifth Antibacterial Toxin Produced by a Single Bacteroides fragilis Strain. J Bacteriol. 2019 04 15; 201(8). PMID: 30692177; PMCID: PMC6436352.
      Citations: 18     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    29. Coyne MJ, Comstock LE. Type VI Secretion Systems and the Gut Microbiota. Microbiol Spectr. 2019 03; 7(2). PMID: 30825301; PMCID: PMC6404974.
      Citations: 53     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    30. Comstock LE, García-Bayona L. Bacterial antagonism in host-associated microbial communities. Science. 2018 09 21; 361(6408). PMID: 30237322.
      Citations: 136     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    31. McEneany VL, Coyne MJ, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Comstock LE. Acquisition of MACPF domain-encoding genes is the main contributor to LPS glycan diversity in gut Bacteroides species. ISME J. 2018 12; 12(12):2919-2928. PMID: 30065309; PMCID: PMC6246601.
      Citations: 20     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    32. Lee-Sarwar K, Kelly RS, Lasky-Su J, Moody DB, Mola AR, Cheng TY, Comstock LE, Zeiger RS, O'Connor GT, Sandel MT, Bacharier LB, Beigelman A, Laranjo N, Gold DR, Bunyavanich S, Savage JH, Weiss ST, Brennan PJ, Litonjua AA. Intestinal microbial-derived sphingolipids are inversely associated with childhood food allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018 07; 142(1):335-338.e9. PMID: 29729303; PMCID: PMC6433125.
      Citations: 27     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    33. Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Coyne MJ, Roelofs KG, Gentyala RR, Caldwell JM, Comstock LE. Gut Symbiont Bacteroides fragilis Secretes a Eukaryotic-Like Ubiquitin Protein That Mediates Intraspecies Antagonism. mBio. 2017 11 28; 8(6). PMID: 29184019; PMCID: PMC5705921.
      Citations: 27     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    34. Comstock LE. Small RNAs Repress Expression of Polysaccharide Utilization Loci of Gut Bacteroides Species. J Bacteriol. 2016 09 15; 198(18):2396-8. PMID: 27402626; PMCID: PMC4999925.
      Citations: 3     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    35. Roelofs KG, Coyne MJ, Gentyala RR, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Comstock LE. Bacteroidales Secreted Antimicrobial Proteins Target Surface Molecules Necessary for Gut Colonization and Mediate Competition In Vivo. mBio. 2016 08 23; 7(4). PMID: 27555309; PMCID: PMC4999547.
      Citations: 44     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    36. Rakoff-Nahoum S, Foster KR, Comstock LE. The evolution of cooperation within the gut microbiota. Nature. 2016 05 12; 533(7602):255-9. PMID: 27111508; PMCID: PMC4978124.
      Citations: 256     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    37. Coyne MJ, Comstock LE. A New Pillar in Pilus Assembly. Cell. 2016 Apr 21; 165(3):520-1. PMID: 27104974.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    38. Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Geva-Zatorsky N, Comstock LE. Bacteroides fragilis type VI secretion systems use novel effector and immunity proteins to antagonize human gut Bacteroidales species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2016 Mar 29; 113(13):3627-32. PMID: 26951680; PMCID: PMC4822612.
      Citations: 125     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    39. Coyne MJ, Roelofs KG, Comstock LE. Type VI secretion systems of human gut Bacteroidales segregate into three genetic architectures, two of which are contained on mobile genetic elements. BMC Genomics. 2016 Jan 15; 17:58. PMID: 26768901; PMCID: PMC4714493.
      Citations: 102     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    40. Liu S, da Cunha AP, Rezende RM, Cialic R, Wei Z, Bry L, Comstock LE, Gandhi R, Weiner HL. The Host Shapes the Gut Microbiota via Fecal MicroRNA. Cell Host Microbe. 2016 Jan 13; 19(1):32-43. PMID: 26764595; PMCID: PMC4847146.
      Citations: 371     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    41. Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Comstock LE. Friend turned foe: a role for bacterial sulfatases in colitis. Cell Host Microbe. 2015 May 13; 17(5):540-1. PMID: 25974293.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    42. Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE. An antimicrobial protein of the gut symbiont Bacteroides fragilis with a MACPF domain of host immune proteins. Mol Microbiol. 2014 Dec; 94(6):1361-74. PMID: 25339613; PMCID: PMC4262677.
      Citations: 49     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    43. Rakoff-Nahoum S, Comstock LE. Immunology: Starve a fever, feed the microbiota. Nature. 2014 Oct 30; 514(7524):576-7. PMID: 25274298.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    44. Coyne MJ, Zitomersky NL, McGuire AM, Earl AM, Comstock LE. Evidence of extensive DNA transfer between bacteroidales species within the human gut. mBio. 2014 Jun 17; 5(3):e01305-14. PMID: 24939888; PMCID: PMC4073490.
      Citations: 88     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    45. Rakoff-Nahoum S, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE. An ecological network of polysaccharide utilization among human intestinal symbionts. Curr Biol. 2014 Jan 06; 24(1):40-49. PMID: 24332541; PMCID: PMC3924574.
      Citations: 189     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    46. Wieland Brown LC, Penaranda C, Kashyap PC, Williams BB, Clardy J, Kronenberg M, Sonnenburg JL, Comstock LE, Bluestone JA, Fischbach MA. Production of a-galactosylceramide by a prominent member of the human gut microbiota. PLoS Biol. 2013 Jul; 11(7):e1001610. PMID: 23874157; PMCID: PMC3712910.
      Citations: 138     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    47. Zitomersky NL, Atkinson BJ, Franklin SW, Mitchell PD, Snapper SB, Comstock LE, Bousvaros A. Characterization of adherent bacteroidales from intestinal biopsies of children and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease. PLoS One. 2013; 8(6):e63686. PMID: 23776434; PMCID: PMC3679120.
      Citations: 49     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    48. Coyne MJ, Fletcher CM, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Posch G, Schaffer C, Comstock LE. Phylum-wide general protein O-glycosylation system of the Bacteroidetes. Mol Microbiol. 2013 May; 88(4):772-83. PMID: 23551589; PMCID: PMC3656502.
      Citations: 37     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    49. Pabst M, Neumann L, Coyne MJ, Altmann F, Messner P, Comstock LE, Posch G, Schäffer C. "Cross-glycosylation" of proteins in Bacteroidales species. Glycobiology. 2013 May; 23(5):568-77. PMID: 23258847; PMCID: PMC3608352.
      Citations: 16     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    50. Coyne MJ, Fletcher CM, Reinap B, Comstock LE. UDP-glucuronic acid decarboxylases of Bacteroides fragilis and their prevalence in bacteria. J Bacteriol. 2011 Oct; 193(19):5252-9. PMID: 21804000; PMCID: PMC3187445.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    51. Zitomersky NL, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE. Longitudinal analysis of the prevalence, maintenance, and IgA response to species of the order Bacteroidales in the human gut. Infect Immun. 2011 May; 79(5):2012-20. PMID: 21402766; PMCID: PMC3088145.
      Citations: 70     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    52. Fletcher CM, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE. Theoretical and experimental characterization of the scope of protein O-glycosylation in Bacteroides fragilis. J Biol Chem. 2011 Feb 04; 286(5):3219-26. PMID: 21115495; PMCID: PMC3030326.
      Citations: 35     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    53. Troy EB, Carey VJ, Kasper DL, Comstock LE. Orientations of the Bacteroides fragilis capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis locus promoters during symbiosis and infection. J Bacteriol. 2010 Nov; 192(21):5832-6. PMID: 20729352; PMCID: PMC2953686.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    54. Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Weinacht KG, Comstock LE. Trans locus inhibitors limit concomitant polysaccharide synthesis in the human gut symbiont Bacteroides fragilis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Jun 29; 107(26):11976-80. PMID: 20547868; PMCID: PMC2900635.
      Citations: 37     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    55. Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE. A family of transcriptional antitermination factors necessary for synthesis of the capsular polysaccharides of Bacteroides fragilis. J Bacteriol. 2009 Dec; 191(23):7288-95. PMID: 19801412; PMCID: PMC2786560.
      Citations: 32     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    56. Comstock LE. Importance of glycans to the host-bacteroides mutualism in the mammalian intestine. Cell Host Microbe. 2009 Jun 18; 5(6):522-6. PMID: 19527880.
      Citations: 56     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    57. Fletcher CM, Coyne MJ, Villa OF, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Comstock LE. A general O-glycosylation system important to the physiology of a major human intestinal symbiont. Cell. 2009 Apr 17; 137(2):321-31. PMID: 19379697; PMCID: PMC2772059.
      Citations: 97     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    58. Coyne MJ, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Paoletti LC, Comstock LE. Role of glycan synthesis in colonization of the mammalian gut by the bacterial symbiont Bacteroides fragilis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Sep 02; 105(35):13099-104. PMID: 18723678; PMCID: PMC2529095.
      Citations: 56     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    59. Belzer C, Comstock LE. Expression of phase variable surface molecules of Bacteroides species from healthy and clinical stool. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2008 Apr; 46 Suppl 1:E15-6. PMID: 18354319.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    60. Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Coyne MJ, Roche-Hakansson H, Comstock LE. Expression of a uniquely regulated extracellular polysaccharide confers a large-capsule phenotype to Bacteroides fragilis. J Bacteriol. 2008 Feb; 190(3):1020-6. PMID: 18039760; PMCID: PMC2223589.
      Citations: 15     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    61. Coyne MJ, Comstock LE. Niche-specific features of the intestinal bacteroidales. J Bacteriol. 2008 Jan; 190(2):736-42. PMID: 17993536; PMCID: PMC2223690.
      Citations: 47     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    62. Comstock LE. Microbiology: the inside story. Nature. 2007 Aug 02; 448(7153):542-4. PMID: 17671490.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    63. Sebastian S, Dillon ST, Lynch JG, Blalock LT, Balon E, Lee KT, Comstock LE, Conlan JW, Rubin EJ, Tzianabos AO, Kasper DL. A defined O-antigen polysaccharide mutant of Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain has attenuated virulence while retaining its protective capacity. Infect Immun. 2007 May; 75(5):2591-602. PMID: 17296751; PMCID: PMC1865767.
      Citations: 48     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    64. Fletcher CM, Coyne MJ, Bentley DL, Villa OF, Comstock LE. Phase-variable expression of a family of glycoproteins imparts a dynamic surface to a symbiont in its human intestinal ecosystem. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Feb 13; 104(7):2413-8. PMID: 17284602; PMCID: PMC1892957.
      Citations: 39     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    65. Roche-Hakansson H, Chatzidaki-Livanis M, Coyne MJ, Comstock LE. Bacteroides fragilis synthesizes a DNA invertase affecting both a local and a distant region. J Bacteriol. 2007 Mar; 189(5):2119-24. PMID: 17189372; PMCID: PMC1855777.
      Citations: 10     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    66. Comstock LE, Kasper DL. Bacterial glycans: key mediators of diverse host immune responses. Cell. 2006 Sep 08; 126(5):847-50. PMID: 16959564.
      Citations: 101     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    67. Coyne MJ, Reinap B, Lee MM, Comstock LE. Human symbionts use a host-like pathway for surface fucosylation. Science. 2005 Mar 18; 307(5716):1778-81. PMID: 15774760.
      Citations: 149     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    68. Weinacht KG, Roche H, Krinos CM, Coyne MJ, Parkhill J, Comstock LE. Tyrosine site-specific recombinases mediate DNA inversions affecting the expression of outer surface proteins of Bacteroides fragilis. Mol Microbiol. 2004 Sep; 53(5):1319-30. PMID: 15387812.
      Citations: 25     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    69. Comstock LE, Coyne MJ. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron: a dynamic, niche-adapted human symbiont. Bioessays. 2003 Oct; 25(10):926-9. PMID: 14505359.
      Citations: 45     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    70. Coyne MJ, Weinacht KG, Krinos CM, Comstock LE. Mpi recombinase globally modulates the surface architecture of a human commensal bacterium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Sep 02; 100(18):10446-51. PMID: 12915735; PMCID: PMC193581.
      Citations: 61     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    71. Krinos CM, Coyne MJ, Weinacht KG, Tzianabos AO, Kasper DL, Comstock LE. Extensive surface diversity of a commensal microorganism by multiple DNA inversions. Nature. 2001 Nov 29; 414(6863):555-8. PMID: 11734857.
      Citations: 143     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    72. Coyne MJ, Tzianabos AO, Mallory BC, Carey VJ, Kasper DL, Comstock LE. Polysaccharide biosynthesis locus required for virulence of Bacteroides fragilis. Infect Immun. 2001 Jul; 69(7):4342-50. PMID: 11401972; PMCID: PMC98505.
      Citations: 49     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    73. Kalka-Moll WM, Wang Y, Comstock LE, Gonzalez SE, Tzianabos AO, Kasper DL. Immunochemical and biological characterization of three capsular polysaccharides from a single Bacteroides fragilis strain. Infect Immun. 2001 Apr; 69(4):2339-44. PMID: 11254591; PMCID: PMC98163.
      Citations: 15     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    74. Comstock LE, Pantosti A, Kasper DL. Genetic diversity of the capsular polysaccharide C biosynthesis region of Bacteroides fragilis. Infect Immun. 2000 Nov; 68(11):6182-8. PMID: 11035723; PMCID: PMC97697.
      Citations: 14     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    75. Coyne MJ, Kalka-Moll W, Tzianabos AO, Kasper DL, Comstock LE. Bacteroides fragilis NCTC9343 produces at least three distinct capsular polysaccharides: cloning, characterization, and reassignment of polysaccharide B and C biosynthesis loci. Infect Immun. 2000 Nov; 68(11):6176-81. PMID: 11035722; PMCID: PMC97696.
      Citations: 25     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    76. Comstock LE, Coyne MJ, Tzianabos AO, Kasper DL. Interstrain variation of the polysaccharide B biosynthesis locus of Bacteroides fragilis: characterization of the region from strain 638R. J Bacteriol. 1999 Oct; 181(19):6192-6. PMID: 10498737; PMCID: PMC103652.
      Citations: 12     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    77. Comstock LE, Coyne MJ, Tzianabos AO, Pantosti A, Onderdonk AB, Kasper DL. Analysis of a capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis locus of Bacteroides fragilis. Infect Immun. 1999 Jul; 67(7):3525-32. PMID: 10377135; PMCID: PMC116540.
      Citations: 29     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    78. Losonsky GA, Lim Y, Motamedi P, Comstock LE, Johnson JA, Morris JG, Tacket CO, Kaper JB, Levine MM. Vibriocidal antibody responses in North American volunteers exposed to wild-type or vaccine Vibrio cholerae O139: specificity and relevance to immunity. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 1997 May; 4(3):264-9. PMID: 9144361; PMCID: PMC170516.
      Citations: 20     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    79. Comstock LE, Johnson JA, Michalski JM, Morris JG, Kaper JB. Cloning and sequence of a region encoding a surface polysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O139 and characterization of the insertion site in the chromosome of Vibrio cholerae O1. Mol Microbiol. 1996 Feb; 19(4):815-26. PMID: 8820651.
      Citations: 49     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    80. Tacket CO, Losonsky G, Nataro JP, Comstock L, Michalski J, Edelman R, Kaper JB, Levine MM. Initial clinical studies of CVD 112 Vibrio cholerae O139 live oral vaccine: safety and efficacy against experimental challenge. J Infect Dis. 1995 Sep; 172(3):883-6. PMID: 7658089.
      Citations: 48     Fields:    Translation:HumansCellsCTClinical Trials
    81. Fasano A, Fiorentini C, Donelli G, Uzzau S, Kaper JB, Margaretten K, Ding X, Guandalini S, Comstock L, Goldblum SE. Zonula occludens toxin modulates tight junctions through protein kinase C-dependent actin reorganization, in vitro. J Clin Invest. 1995 Aug; 96(2):710-20. PMID: 7635964; PMCID: PMC185254.
      Citations: 118     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    82. Comstock LE, Maneval D, Panigrahi P, Joseph A, Levine MM, Kaper JB, Morris JG, Johnson JA. The capsule and O antigen in Vibrio cholerae O139 Bengal are associated with a genetic region not present in Vibrio cholerae O1. Infect Immun. 1995 Jan; 63(1):317-23. PMID: 7528734; PMCID: PMC172994.
      Citations: 39     Fields:    Translation:Cells
    83. Faruque SM, Comstock L, Kaper JB, Albert MJ. Distribution of Zonula occludens toxin (zot) gene among clinical isolates of Vibrio cholerae O1 from Bangladesh and Africa. J Diarrhoeal Dis Res. 1994 Sep; 12(3):222-4. PMID: 7868831.
      Citations: 9     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    84. Comstock LE, Fikrig E, Shoberg RJ, Flavell RA, Thomas DD. A monoclonal antibody to OspA inhibits association of Borrelia burgdorferi with human endothelial cells. Infect Immun. 1993 Feb; 61(2):423-31. PMID: 7678585; PMCID: PMC302746.
      Citations: 27     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsCells
    85. Comstock LE, Thomas DD. Characterization of Borrelia burgdorferi invasion of cultured endothelial cells. Microb Pathog. 1991 Feb; 10(2):137-48. PMID: 1890951.
      Citations: 33     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    86. Comstock LE, Thomas DD. Penetration of endothelial cell monolayers by Borrelia burgdorferi. Infect Immun. 1989 May; 57(5):1626-8. PMID: 2707862; PMCID: PMC313325.
      Citations: 73     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
    87. Thomas DD, Comstock LE. Interaction of Lyme disease spirochetes with cultured eucaryotic cells. Infect Immun. 1989 Apr; 57(4):1324-6. PMID: 2925254; PMCID: PMC313270.
      Citations: 53     Fields:    Translation:HumansCells
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