José E. Soto, Ph.D.

Research

My research group is dedicated to studying the molecular strategies employed by bacterial pathogens to cause disease. In particular, we focus on the assembly and function of the type III and type VI secretion systems, two protein export nanomachines that are central to the virulence strategy of Salmonella enterica and many other clinically relevant bacteria. By integrating cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology, functional genomics, and bioinformatics, we aim to develop novel approaches to systematically dissect host-pathogen interactions and the mechanisms underlying bacterial protein secretion. Our long-term goal is to generate fundamental insights into these secretion systems that can inform the development of next-generation antimicrobial strategies designed to disarm these important virulence determinants.