Michelle Visser
Michelle Visser
Associate Professor
Specialty/Research Focus
Microbiology; Oral Biology
Education and Training:
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Microbiology immunology, University of Toronto (2013)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Microbiology cell biology, University of Toronto (2012)
- PhD, Veterinary Science, University of Queensland (2009)
- BS, Biological Sciences, University of Calgary (1998)
Employment:
- Associate Professor, Oral Biology, University at Buffalo (2020-present)
- Assistant Professor, Oral Biology, University at Buffalo (2013–2019)
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Matrix Dynamics Group, University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry, Canada (2012–2013)
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Oral Microbiology, University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry, Canada (2008–2012)
- Research Technician, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Canada (1999–2005)
Awards and Honors:
- UUP Individual Development Award (2017)
- Canadian Institute of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (2012)
- Canadian Institute of Health Research, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis Travel Award (2011)
- Canadian Institute of Health Research, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis Travel Award (2010)
- Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation of Australia Travel Grant (2008)
- Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2005)
- University of Queensland International Living Allowance Scholarship (2005)
Research Expertise:
- Host-pathogen interactions
- Innate immunology
- Microbiology
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- December 2019–November 2024
A role for immune cell plasticity in commensal survival and escalation of inflammation
NIH/NIDCR
Role: Co-Investigator
$1,952,242 - September 2018–August 2023
The role of oral spirochete virulence factors in the impairment of neutrophil response
NIH
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,894,065 - April 2017–March 2018
Modification of healing abutment surface with strontium containing alginate gel to promote gingival fibroblast function
International Congress of Oral Implantalogists
Role: Principal Investigator
$24,968 - January 2017–January 2018
Investigation of global lipid analysis and metabolism in neutrophil function and chronic disease
UB IMPACT
Role: Principal Investigator
$31,000 - December 2016–December 2017
Mechanisms of neutrophil impairment by Treponema denticola
NIDCR
Role: Principal Investigator
$19,000 - January 2015–December 2016
Mechanisms of neutrophil impairment by Treponema denticola
NIDCR
Role: Principal Investigator
$238,876
Journal Articles:
- Jones MM, Vanyo ST, Ibraheem W, Maddi A, Visser MB, Visser M. Treponema denticola stimulates Oncostatin M cytokine release and de novo synthesis in neutrophils and macrophages. J Leukoc Biol. 2020; 108(5).
- Moussa H, Jones MM, Huo N, Zhang R, Keskar M, Visser MB, Swihart MT, Cheng C, Sabatini C, Visser M. Biocompatibility, mechanical, and bonding properties of a dental adhesive modified with antibacterial monomer and cross-linker. Clin Oral Investig. 2020.
- Santo BA, Segal BH, Tomaszewski JE, Mohammad I, Worral AM, Jain S, Visser MB, Sarder P, Visser M. Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs): An unexplored territory in renal pathobiology, a pilot computational study. Proc SPIE Int Soc Opt Eng. 2020; 11320.
- Jones MM, Vanyo ST, Visser MB, Visser M. The Msp Protein of Treponema denticola Interrupts Activity of Phosphoinositide Processing in Neutrophils. Infect Immun. 2019; 87(11).
- Fernandes G, Vanyo ST, Alsharif SBA, Andreana S, Visser MB, Dziak R, Visser M. Strontium Effects on Human Gingival Fibroblasts. J Oral Implantol. 2019; 45(4).
- Kay JG, Kramer JG, Visser MB. Danger signals in oral cavity-related diseases. J Leukoc Biol. 2019.
- Parisi LR, Morrow LM, Visser MB, Atilla-Gokcumen GE, Visser M. Turning the Spotlight on Lipids in Non-Apoptotic Cell Death. ACS Chem Biol. 2018; 13(3).
- Jones MM, Vanyo ST, Visser MB. The C-terminal region of the major outer sheath protein of Treponema denticola inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis. Mol Oral Microbiol. 2017.
- ALGhanem A, Fernandes G, Visser M, Dziak R, Renné WG, Sabatini C. Biocompatibility and bond degradation of poly-acrylic acid coated copper iodide-adhesives. Dent Mater. 2017; 33(9).
- Fernandes G, Visser M, Renné WG, Sabatini C.. Esterase Inhibition and Copper Release from Copper Iodide Adhesive Matrices.. J Dent Res. 2017.
- Alghanem, A. A., G. Fernandes, M. Visser, R. Dziak, W.G. Renne and C. Sabatini. Biocompatibility and bond degradation of poly-acrylic acid coated copper iodide-adhesives. Dental Materials. 2017; 33(9).
- Mair YH, Jhamb T, Visser MB, Aguirre A, Kramer JM. Sera and salivary matrix metalloproteinases are elevated in patients with vesiculoerosive disease: a pilot study. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2016; 121(5).
- Koh, A., M. Amin, M. B. Visser, C. Sima, R. P. Ellen and M. Glogauer. Inhibition of Neutrophil Chemotaxis by a Multivalent Reagent Based on a Short Peptide Sequence in Treponema denticola Major Outer Sheath Protein. Journal of Pharamceutical Biology. 2015; 5(2).
- Lakschevitz FS, Visser MB, Sun C, Glogauer M. Neutrophil transcriptional profile changes during transit from bone marrow to sites of inflammation. Cell Mol Immunol. 2015; 12(1).
- Visser MB, Sun CX, Koh A, Ellen RP, Glogauer M. Treponema denticola Major Outer Sheath Protein Impairs the Cellular Phosphoinositide Balance That Regulates Neutrophil Chemotaxis. PLoS One. 2013; 8(6).
- Visser MB, Pollitt CC. The timeline of metalloprotease events during oligofructose induced equine laminitis development. Equine Vet J. 2012; 44(1).
- Visser MB, Pollitt CC. Lamellar leukocyte infiltration and involvement of IL-6 during oligofructose-induced equine laminitis development. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2011; 144(1-2).
- Visser MB, Koh A, Glogauer M, Ellen RP. Treponema denticola major outer sheath protein induces actin assembly at free barbed ends by a PIP2-dependent uncapping mechanism in fibroblasts. PLoS One. 2011; 6(8).
- Visser MB, Pollitt CC. The timeline of lamellar basement membrane changes during equine laminitis development. Equine Vet J. 2011; 43(4).
- Visser MB, Pollitt CC. Immunohistochemical distribution of laminin-332 and collagen type IV in the basement membrane of normal horses and horses with induced laminitis. J Comp Pathol. 2011; 145(1).
- Visser MB, Ellen RP. New insights into the emerging role of oral spirochaetes in periodontal disease. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2011; 17(4).
- Pollitt CC, Visser MB. Carbohydrate alimentary overload laminitis. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2010; 26(1).
- Visser MB, Pollitt CC. Characterization of extracellular matrix macromolecules in primary cultures of equine keratinocytes. BMC Vet Res. 2010; 6.
- Subsin B, Chambers CE, Visser MB, Sokol PA. Identification of genes regulated by the cepIR quorum-sensing system in Burkholderia cenocepacia by high-throughput screening of a random promoter library. J Bacteriol. 2007; 189(3).
- Chambers CE, Lutter EI , Visser MB, Law PP, Sokol PA. Identification of potential CepR regulated genes using a cep box motif-based search of the Burkholderia cenocepacia genome. BMC Microbiol. 2006; 6(104).
- Gingues S, Kooi C, Visser MB, Subsin B, Sokol PA. Distribution and expression of the ZmpA metalloprotease in the Burkholderia cepacia complex. J Bacteriol. 2005; 187(24).
- Chambers CE, Visser MB, Schwab U, Sokol PA. Identification of N-acylhomoserine lactones in mucopurulent respiratory secretions from cystic fibrosis patients. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2005; 244(2).
- Visser MB, Majumdar S, Hani E, Sokol PA. Importance of the ornibactin and pyochelin siderophore transport systems in Burkholderia cenocepacia lung infections. Infect Immun. 2004; 72(5).
- Sokol PA, Sajjan U, Visser MB, Gingues S, Forstner J, Kooi C, Visser Kay M. The CepIR quorum-sensing system contributes to the virulence of Burkholderia cenocepacia respiratory infections. Microbiology. 2003; 149(Pt 12).
- Lewenza S, Visser MB, Sokol PA. Interspecies communication between Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Can J Microbiol. 2002; 48(8).
- Lutter E, Lewenza S, Dennis JJ, Visser MB, Sokol PA. Distribution of quorum-sensing genes in the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Infect Immun. 2001; 69(7).
Professional Memberships:
- Society for Leukocyte Biology (2014–present)
- ASM WNY branch (2013–present)
- American Association for Dental research (2013–present)
- Canadian Association for Dental Research (2013–2014)
- International Association for Dental Research (2013–present)
- American Society for Microbiology (2010–present)
- American Society for Cell Biology (2009–present)
Presentations:
- "Lipid Metabolite Regulation and Impairment of neutrophil chemotaxis by Treponema denticola" UB Honors Research Student Symposium (2017)
- "OncostatinM induction from Immune cells by Treponema denticola with implications for matrix-metalloprotease production" Buffalo Conference on Microbial Pathogenesis (2017)
- "Outer membrane vesicles and variation in the outer membrane sheath protein of Treponema denticola alter neutrophil function" Buffalo Conference on Microbial Pathogenesis (2017)
- "Lipid Metabolite Regulation and Impairment of neutrophil chemotaxis by Treponema denticola." UB Celebration of Student Academic Excellence. (2017)
- "Oral Spirochetes and neutrophils: surviving under the radar in the oral cavity" Invited seminar Series, Oklahoma State University (2017)
- "Characterizing the Treponema denticola Major outer sheath protein region responsible for neutrophil impairment" UB School of Dental Medicine Research Day (2017)
- "Host Microbe Interactions Oral session chair" IADR, IADR, Microbiology/Immunology (2017)
- "Major Outer Sheath-Like Proteins of Oral Spirochetes Impair Neutrophil Function." International Association of Dental Research Annual Meeting, IADR (2017)
- "Microbial Virulence Poster session chair" IADR, IADR, Microbiology/ Immunology (2017)
- "The effect of oncostatinM in matrix metalloprotease activation in gingival fibroblasts" UB School of Dental Medicine Research Day (2017)
- "Insights into Oral spirochete neutrophil interactions" 16th Annual Mark Wilson Conference (2017)
- "Treponema denticola impairment of neutrophil chemotaxis" Gordon research conference on Directed Cell Migration (2017)
- "Biological active regions of the Treponema denticola outer sheath protein (Msp) modulate neutrophil function" Buffalo Conference on Microbial Pathogenesis, The Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology (2016)
- "Oncostatin M induction from immune cells by Treponema denticola" American Association for Dental Research General Session and Exhibition (2016)
- "Treponema denticola induction of oncostatin M from immune cells" Gordon Research Conference on Biology of Spirochetes (2016)
- "Major outer sheath (Msp)-like proteins of oral spirochetes impair neutrophil chemotaxis" Buffalo Conference on Microbial Pathogenesis, The Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology (2015)
- "PREVENTION OF DRY SOCKET USING DOXYCYCLINE/LOCAL ANAESTHETIC IN A GELFOAM SCAFFOLD" Buffalo Conference on Microbial Pathogenesis, The Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology (2015)
- "The effect of Treponema denticola on oncostatinM expression and production from neutrophils" UB dental student research day, University at Buffalo (2015)
- "Oral Spirochetes…. Surviving the Immune system" AADR Buffalo Section Lunch and Learn, University at Buffalo, AADR Buffalo Section (2014)
- "Neutrophil mediated transcriptional responses to Treponema denticola exposure." Gordon Research Conference Biology of Spirochetes (2014)
- "Development of oral microbe-induced periodontitis and fluorescent Treponema denticola." U of T Faculty of Dentistry Annual Research Day., University of Toronto (2013)
- "Neutrophil chemotaxis regulatory pathways perturbed by the major outer sheath protein of Treponema denticola" SickKids-McMaster University-University of Toronto Research Day (2013)
- "Oral spirochetes and innate immune interactions in periodontal disease" Invited Seminar Series, University of Manitoba, Oral Biology (2013)
- "Oral spirochetes and innate immune interactions in periodontal disease" Invited Seminar Series, University of Louisville, Center for Oral Health and Systemic Disease (2013)
- "Oral spirochetes and innate immune interactions in periodontal disease" Invited seminar series, University at Buffalo, Oral Biology (2012)
- "Mechanisms of innate immunity evasion by oral spirochetes in periodontal disease" Invited seminar series, University of the Pacific, Biomedical Sciences (2012)
- "Treponema denticola Msp activates lipid phosphatase and actin-uncapping, inhibits PMN-chemotaxis." International Association for Dental Research General Session, International Association for Dental Research (2012)
- "The involvement of lipid phosphatase activation in perturbation of neutrophil functions by the major outer sheath protein of Treponema denticola" Gordon Research Conference on Biology of Spirochetes, Gordon Research Conferences (2012)
- "Development of oral microbe-induced periodontitis mouse model and fluorescent Treponema denticola for future investigations using intravital microscopy." Farncombe/Toronto Research Day (2011)
- "The major outer sheath protein of Treponema denticola induces actin filament assembly by a PIP-2 dependent uncapping mechanism in fibroblasts" U of T Infectious Diseases/Microbiology Research Day, University of Toronto (2011)
- "The major outer sheath protein of Treponema denticola induces actin filament assembly by a PIP-2 dependent uncapping mechanism in fibroblasts" ASM General meeting, American Society of Microbiology (2011)
- "The major outer sheath protein of Treponema denticola induces actin filament assembly by a PIP-2 dependent uncapping mechanism in fibroblasts" UofT Faculty of Dentistry Research Day, University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry (2011)
- "Impact of Treponema denticola major outer sheath protein (Msp) on small GTPase associated signaling pathways in fibroblasts" Canadian Connective Tissue Conference, Canadian Connective Tissue Society (2010)
- "Microbiology and cell biology of spirochete - host cell interactions" Invited Seminar Series, University of Toronto, Oral Microbiology (2010)
- "Treponema denticola major outer sheath protein (Msp) impacts small GTPase signalling pathways differently in fibroblasts and neutrophils" University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry Research Day, University of Toronto (2010)
- "Treponema denticola major outer sheath protein (Msp) inhibits Akt activation without affecting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in neutrophils" Gordon Research Conference on Biology of Spirochetes, Gordon Research Conferences (2010)
- "Leukocyte infiltration and the role of IL-6 during the development of oligofructose induced laminitis." AAEP Equine Laminitis Research Workshop, American Association of Equine Practitioners (2009)
- "Temporal changes in basement membrane proteolysis and protease expression during laminitis development" AAEP Equine Laminitis Research Workshop, American Association of Equine Practitioners (2009)
- "Investigation of the signaling pathways involved in the perturbation of neutrophil chemotaxis and actin dynamics by Treponema denticola" University of Toronto Infectious Diseases/Microbiology Research Day, University of Toronto (2009)
- "Temporal changes in the expression of basement membrane components and matrix metalloproteases during the development of equine laminitis." Gordon Research Conference on Basement Membranes, Gordon Research Conferences (2008)
- "Degradation of basement membrane components occur prior to changes in the expression of matrix metalloproteases during the development of equine laminitis." Australian Equine Science Symposium (2008)
- "Distribution of Laminin 5 in equine tissues and a potential linking factor in laminitis" Faculty of Natural resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science Research Conference, University of Queensland (2005)
- "A Sensitive Luminescence Reporter System for Detection of N-acylhomoserine Lactones in Tissue and Clinical Samples." ASM Conference on Cell-Cell Communication in Bacteria, American Society of Microbiology (2004)
- "Identification of CepR Regulated Genes using the cep Box Consensus Sequence to Search the Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 Genome" ASM Conference on Cell-Cell Communication in Bacteria, American Society of Microbiology (2004)
- "The CepIR quorum sensing system contributes to virulence in Burkholderia cepacia respiratory infections." Eighth Meeting of the International Burkholderia cepacia Working Group (2003)
- "The importance of the ornibactin and pyochelin siderophore transport systems in Burkholderia cenocepacia lung infections." ASM Northwest Branch Meeting, American Society of Microbiology (2003)
- "N-acyl homoserine lactone mediated interspecies communication between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia" ASM Conference on Cell-Cell Communication in Bacteria, American Society of Microbiology (2001)
- "N-acyl homoserine lactone mediated interspecies communication between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia" ASM Conference on Cell-Cell Communication in Bacteria, American Society of Microbiology (2001)
- "Complex regulation of a potential antibacterial target, the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Tol-OprL cluster." Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network Annual General Meeting, Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network (2000)
Service Activities:
- Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine Graduate Committee, Preliminary Exams; Member (2017)
- Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine Graduate Committee, Thesis; Member (2016)
- Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine Graduate Committee, Preliminary Exams; Member (2016)
- Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine Graduate Committee, Preliminary Exams; Member (2015)
- Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine Graduate Committee, Thesis; Member (2015)
- School of Dental Medicine Infection Control/Biohazard Committee; Member (2014)
- Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine Graduate Committee, Thesis; Member (2014–2015)
- SLB website committee; Committee Member (2017–present)
- AADR Buffalo Section; Secretary (2016–2017)
- ABRCMS abstract review; review of abstracts for the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority students; Reviewer (2016–present)
- ASM Undergraduate Research Fellowship; Reviewer (2016–present)
- AADR Edward H. Hatton Awards Committee; Committee Member (2015–2018)
- UB Postdoctoral Research Symposium Judge; Judge (2014)
- UB School of Dental Medicine Research Day Poster Judge; Judge (2014–present)
- Journal Review; Invited to review manuscripts for the International Journal of Oral Science, Journal of Leukocyte Biology, Canadian Journal of Microbiology, The Equine Veterinary Journal, PLos ONE, Microbial Cell Factories, Archives of Oral Biology, Stem Cell and Development, BMC Medical Education, Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, J of periodontology, Infection Immunity; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2011–present)