Linda Xu

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of pneumonia, wherein infection of respiratory mucosa drives a robust influx of neutrophils into the airways, followed by tissue damage and lethal septicemia. Pneumolysin is a major S. pneumoniae virulence factor that generates ~25 nm diameter pores in eukaryotic membranes, promoting acute inflammation, tissue damage, and bacteremia. My research focuses on damage to epithelial integrity and promotion of bacterial dissemination during S. pneumoniae infections, specifically, looking at if neutrophil transmigration and bacterial pore forming toxins play any roles.