Visser Lab
Welcome to the Visser Lab! Learn more about us below.
Principal Investigator
Michelle Visser, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Oral Biology.
Our Focus
The broad focus of the Visser Lab is microbial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions.
Meet the Team
- Dayron Leyva Rodriguez, BSc., PhD student
- Rangana Mali, BS, MS, research technician
Active Projects
- Role of oral Treponema species in modulation of neutrophil responses during periodontal disease. The lab studies a group of bacteria called spirochetes (Treponema), which become prevalent during periodontal diseases. We use a variety of microbiological, molecular, immunological and animal models to study pathogenic mechanisms that the model species Treponema denticola and other emerging species T. maltophilum and T. lecthinolyticum use to manipulate the normally protective innate immune response. Much of our work is focused on Treponema membrane surface proteins and biogenesis and the biological properties of Treponema-derived membrane vesicles.
Contact the Lab
Open Positions
To inquire about open positions, please email Dr. Visser at mbvisser@buffalo.edu.
Location: 513 Biomedical Research Building
Laboratory Phone: 716-829-3943
Email: mbvisser@buffalo.edu