Microbiology Research Laboratory
The Microbiology Research Laboratory (MRL) is an academic research facility dedicated to the study of antimicrobial pharmacodynamics and resistance issues. The MRL is an 800 sq. ft. lab located on the first floor of the UIC College of Pharmacy. This self-supporting lab is involved in all aspects of in vitro microbiology research, including intracellular and extracellular susceptibility, drug modeling, antibiotic resistance, synergy studies, tissue culture systems and other in vitro and ex vivo models. The MRL is a Level 2 facility that maintains a certified BSL2 microbiology hood, a Bactron Anaerobic/Environmental Chamber, an automated ProtoCOL colony counter, and 2 automatic spiral platers. The MRL performs CLSI/NCCLS-approved methods and is approved for aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal research. The MRL also serves as a training ground for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate research. The MRL is current staffed with 2 Infectious Diseases Fellows and 2 Pharmacy Students.
The MRL is directed by Dr. Larry Danziger. Dr. Danziger is a Professor, Co-Director, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pharmacy Practice, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at University of Illinois at Chicago. His research interests include surgical infectious disease, the unusual properties of antimicrobial agents and pharmacological aspects of the patients with infectious diseases.
The MRL also provides its expertise in microbiology to other UIC research facilities. Ongoing collaborations and research projects include:
Clinical Pharmacognosy Laboratory
Using natural agents from medicinal and food plants provided by the Clinical Pharmacognosy Laboratory, the MRL performs susceptibility testing to identify antimicrobial agents that may help in the prevention and treatment of infectious disease. Current organisms being tested are Helicobacter pylori, Candida, and anaerobic species. The MRL also performs combination susceptibility studies to identify natural agents that have synergistic effects on current antibiotic therapy. These agents may lead to the development of more effective therapies and a decrease in antibiotic resistance.
UIC Department of Ophthalmology
The MRL is participating in a project examining the effectiveness of newer antibiotics against gram positive organisms in a corneal ulcer animal model.
The Institute for Tuberculosis Research (ITR)
The MRL performs susceptibility testing on a panel of microorganisms to determine the spectrum of activity of new agents developed by the ITR.