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Vijay Sharma
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Vijay K. Sharma
National Animal Disease Center
Research Microbiologist
E-mail: vijay.sharma@ars.usda.gov
Phone (515) 337-7406
Fax (515) 337-7438
P.O. Box 70
1920 Dayton Ave.
Ames, IA  50010

Education and Research Experience:

B.Sc. (Hons.) Panjab University Chandigarh, India, Botany, 1977
M.Sc. (Hons.) Panjab University Chandigarh, India, Botany, 1978
M.Phil. Panjab University Chandigarh, India, Mycology, 1979
Ph.D. University of Toledo, Ohio, Biology (Microbial Genetics), 1987
Postdoctoral Fellow, Northern Illinois University, 1987-1992
Postdoctoral Fellow, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 1992-1994
ASM-sponsored Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Fellowship (1994-1996)/Faculty (non-tenure track; 1996-1997), Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 1994-1997

Research Interests:

Major focus of my research is to identify vaccine-alternatives to reduce STEC colonization and fecal shedding in cattle. Research is directed at improving currently available mutant STEC strains for use as killed vaccines that would be effective in reducing colonization and fecal shedding of STEC in cattle by administering as few as two doses. The novel vaccine-alternatives would be identified by comparative analysis of intestinal microbiomes of cattle refractory to STEC colonization versus cattle that are susceptible to STEC colonization. These novel vaccine candidates are anticipated to be endogenous bacterial species that could be used as stand-alone probiotic(s) or used in conjunction with the killed vaccines.

Projects:

  1. Understand the impact of the bovine intestinal environment and the molecular mechanisms that promote or inhibit colonization, adherence, and persistence of STEC in cattle
  2. Formulate and assess the efficacy of vaccines for controlling STEC colonization of cattle

Laboratory Personnel:

Biological Science Lab Technician: Lindsay Andersen
Postdoc: Robert Schaut
Student: Suryatej Akavaram

Recent Publications:

Complete list of published work:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1-ABNpzUf815r/bibliography/50104396/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending

  1. Sharma VK, Kudva IT, Bearson BL, Stasko JA. Contributions of EspA Filaments and Curli Fimbriae in Cellular Adherence and Biofilm Formation of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. PloS One. 2016; 11(2):e0149745. PubMed [journal] PMID: 26900701, PMCID: PMC4764202
     
  2. Livestock Production and Climate Change. Bell, N., Wickersham,TA., Sharma,VK., Callaway,T.R: Malike PK, Bhatta R, Takahashi J, Kohn RA, Prasad CS, editors. Bangalore, India: Cabi International; 2015. Ionophores: A tool for improving ruminant production and reducing environmental impact; p.263-272.

     3.  Macarisin D, Patel J, Sharma VK. Role of curli and plant cultivation conditions on Escherichia coli O157:H7
          internalization into spinach grown on hydroponics and in soil. International Journal of Food Microbiology.
          2014; 173:48-53. PubMed [journal] PMID: 24412958

  1. Sharma VK, Bearson SM. Evaluation of the impact of quorum sensing transcriptional regulator SdiA on long-term persistence and fecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in weaned calves. Microbial pathogenesis. 2013; 57:21-6. PubMed [journal] PMID: 23415735
     
  2. Sharma VK, Bearson BL. Hha controls Escherichia coli O157:H7 biofilm formation by differential regulation of global transcriptional regulators FlhDC and CsgD. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2013; 79(7):2384-96. PubMed [journal] PMID: 23377937, PMCID: PMC3623240