Elaine M. Haase

Elaine Haase

Elaine M. Haase

Research Professor

Department of Oral Biology

School of Dental Medicine


Specialty/Research Focus

Microbiology; Oral Biology

Contact Information
Foster Hall
Room 109B
3435 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 829-2520
Fax: (716) 829-3942
haase@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

I began my career as a general Medical Technologist and eventually specialized in clinical bacteriology in local hospital. I returned to school to earn an MS in Medical Technology specializing in Microbiology. I continued to work weekends in the hospital while working as a research technician in immunodermatology. I pursued further graduate work and earned a PhD degree in Microbiology from UB. During my thesis work I became interested in molecular mechanisms of infectious disease. As a post-doc I focused on characterizing the genes of the fimbrial operon and biofilm formation by the periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. These studies expanded into gene regulation in A. actinomycetemcomitans by small non-coding sRNA. We have recently used RNA-Seq to investigate the effect of amylase on Streptococcus gordonii. Whole genome sequencing has been used to explore the phylogeny of amylase-binding proteins in various Streptococcal strains. We are also discovering potential new functions for amylase-binding protein A from Streptococcus gordonii and pursuing new experimental evidence. We are also working on oral microbiome projects with clinical physicians and dentists.

Education and Training:

  • PhD, Microbiology, University at Buffalo (1995)
  • MS, Medical Technology, Microbiology Specialty, University at Buffalo (1984)
  • BS, Medical Technology, University at Buffalo (1975)

Employment:

  • Research Professor, University at Buffalo (2018-present)
  • Research Associate Professor, Oral Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo (2005–2017)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Oral Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo (1998–2005)
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, Oral Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo (1994–1998)
  • Research Assistant, Oral Biology, State University of New York at Buffalo (1994)
  • Research Assistant, Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo (1986–1994)
  • Medical Technologist, St. Mary‘s Hospital (1975–1991)
  • Research Technician, Microbiology and Immunology, State University of New York at Buffalo (1985–1986)

Awards and Honors:

  • Dental Student Research Mentor Award (2016)
  • Listed in Who's Who in America (2010)
  • American Society for Microbiology Student Travel Award (1994)
  • Listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (1992)
  • American Society for Microbiology Student Travel Award (1990)
  • Erwin Neter Award from WNY American Society of Microbiology (1990)

Research Expertise:

  • Bioinformatics: Analysis of RNA-seq and DNA-seq data.
  • Microbiologist: Bacterial adhesion mechanisms, biofilm studies, protein analysis, regulation of biofilms, and molecular biology. Bioinformatic and microbiome studies.

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • April 2012–April 2017
    Amylase Binding and Gene Expression in S. gordonii.
    NIH-NIDCR
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,250,000
  • April 2004–December 2008
    Amylase-Binding Streptococci, Dental Plaque and Caries
    NIH, USPHS
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,532,810
  • July 2004–June 2007
    Oral Health and Ventilator-Associated Pneumoniae
    NIH, USPHS
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,140,607
  • July 2004–January 2007
    New Salicylanilides to Treat Oral Diseases
    NIH/SBIR
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • January 2002–December 2003
    Studies of the flp operon in A. actinomycetemcomitans
    National Institute for Dental & Craniofacial Research
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $156,000

Journal Articles:

See all (29 more)

Abstracts:

  • Heo SM, Choi K-S, Kazim AL, Haase EM, Reddy MS, Scannapieco FA, Ruhl S. Host Defense Proteins Derived from Human Saliva Bind to Staphylococcus aureus.. Adv Dent Res. 2014; 26.
  • Eidt A, Lee DH, Heo SM, Haase EM, Reischl U, Cisar JO, Scannapieco FA, Ruhl S. Coadhesion Partners for Helicobacter pylori Among Oral Biofilm Microbiota. J Dent Res. 2010; 89.
  • Amarasinghe JJ, Scannapieco FA, Haase EM. Novel Iron-Regulated sRNAs Involved in Biofilm Formation of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.. J Dent Res. 2008; 87.
  • Heo S-M, Haase EM, Scannapieco FA. Genetic Relationship Between Respiratory Pathogens Isolated from the Mouth and Lung.. J Dent Res. 2008; 87.
  • Haase EM, Dunn J, Evans R, Scannapieco FA. Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy Against Biofilms Using the Calgary Biofilm Device.. 4th ASM Conference on Biofilms. 2007.
  • Heo S-M, Haase EM, Scannapieco F. Molecular Epidemiology of Plaque and Lung Bacteria from Ventilated Patients.. J Dent Res. 2007; 86.
  • Haase EM, Legler R, Bonstein T, Bush PJ, Scannapieco FA. An in vitro Model Assessing Tooth Whitening Agent Effectiveness.. J Dent Res. 2004; 83.
  • Paju S, Haase EM, Tanzer JM, Scannapieco FA. Prevalence of the Gene Encoding Amylase-Binding Protein B, a Putative Peptidase, in Oral Streptococci.. J Dent Res. 2003; 82.
  • Haase EM, Palmer RJ Jr, Wang Y, Chen C, Kolenbrander P, Scannapieco FA. Localization of the rough colony protein A (RcpA) of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans by immunofluorescence.. J Dent Res. 2002; 81.
  • Paju S, Bernstein JM, Haase EM, Scannapieco FA. Non-Cultivable Oral Bacterial Flora of Chronically Inflamed Maxillary Sinuses.. J Dent Res. 2002; 81.
  • Haase EM, Scannapieco FA. RNA Analysis of Rough-Colony-Specific Outer Membrane Proteins of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.. J Dent Res. 2000; 79.
  • Haase EM, Zmuda JL, Scannapieco FA. Identification of Rough-Colony-Phenotype Specific Proteins of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.. J Dent Res. 1999; 78.
  • Tanzer JM, Baranowski LK, Scannapieco FA, Rogers J, Haase EM. Streptococcus gordonii Colonizes TAN:SPFOM(OM)BR Rats and is Cariogenic with Sucrose.. J Dent Res. 1998; 77.
  • Sanjun IS, Steinhorn DM, Haase EM, Scannapieco FA. Perfluorocarbons Decrease Bacterial Adhesion to Epithelial Cells.. Ped Res. 1998; 43(S2).
  • Haase EM, Scannapieco FA. Molecular Cloning of a Putative Amylase-Binding Component from Streptococcus gordonii G9B.. J Dent Res. 1996; 75.
  • Rogers JD, Cranston B, Haase EM, Scannapieco FA. Characterization of an Amylase-Binding Deficient Mutant of Streptococcus gordonii Challis.. J Dent Res. 1996; 75.
See all (6 more)

Professional Memberships:

  • Western New York Branch of the American Association for Dental Research; Local branch of the national AADR whose mission is to provide continuing education to those interested in all branches of dental research. (2014–present)
  • American Dental Education Association; Professional Membership (2006)
  • International/American Association for Dental Research; Professional Membership. (1996–2006)
  • Western New York Branch of the American Society for Microbiology; Local branch of the national American Society for Microbiology whose mission is to provide continuing education for those interested in all aspects of microbiology. (1988–present)
  • American Society for Microbiology; Professional Membership (1988–present)
  • American Society for Clinical Pathologists (1975–2001)

Presentations:

  • "The oral microbiome in sickness and i health" Annual Western New York American Society of Microbiology Meeting, American Society of Microbiology, Western New York Branch (2018)
  • "Dental Plaque" Student Outreach, Zeptometrix, West Seneca Academy High School Students (2018)
  • "Dental Plaque" Student Outreach, Zeptometrix, West Seneca Academy High School Students (2017)
  • "So what is so interesting about amylase-binding Streptococci?" WNY AADR, AADR (2015)
  • "Transcriptional changes of Streptococcus gordonii amylase-binding protein (abpA) mutant in TSBY medium" Gordon Conference, Salve Regina University, Microbial Adhesion and Signal Transduction (2013)
  • "Studies of the Flp Locus of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans" Seminar Series, University of Southern California, Periodontology (2003)

Service Activities:

  • American Society for Microbiology; The Committee on Microbial Sciences (COMS) is a program planning committee for the National ASM for the annual general meeting MICROBE.; Committee Member (2019–present)
  • Search committee for core facility manager; Committee Member (2018)
  • St. Christopher Church, Religious Education; Office assistant for religious education classes. Assist in attendance, answering phone, and other needed tasks. Volunteer at annual Summerfest celebration.; Volunteer (2002–2004)
  • Western New York American Society for Microbiology; Current member of the WNY ASM executive committee. Served as Secretary-Treasurer for 3 years, president-elect 1 year, president 1 year, past president for 3 years.; Committee Member (2000–present)
  • Laboratory Assistant; Laboratory Assistant for the summer program for Ernest Witebsky Center for Immunology.; Volunteer (1988)

School News:

In the Media:


Clinical Specialties:

Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

Foster Hall
Room 109B
3435 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 829-2520
Fax: (716) 829-3942
haase@buffalo.edu