Mark Gomelsky, Ph.D.

Research Overview

Mark Gomelsky is a Martha Gilliam Professor of Microbiology and Director of the Microbiology Program. After earning his PhD in Biological Sciences in Moscow (1991) and completing postdoctoral training at the Institut Pasteur (Paris) and the University of Texas Medical School (Houston), he established his laboratory in Laramie (1999). Dr. Gomelsky is an internationally recognized leader in bacterial signal transduction, with pioneering contributions to the understanding of cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) signaling, second messenger controlling bacterial biofilm formation, motility, and virulence. His laboratory identified and characterized key enzymes that synthesize and degrade c-di-GMP as well as c-di-GMP effectors, and elucidated several downstream mechanisms. They also discovered novel classes of light- and oxygen-sensing proteins in bacteria, and developed photoactivated enzymes as optogenetic tools. In recognition of these achievements, Dr. Gomelsky was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). ScholarGPS ranks Dr. Gomelsky in the top 1% of Life Scientists worldwide.

 

Dr. Gomelsky’s research integrates molecular microbiology, synthetic biology, and biomedical innovation to address major challenges in human health. Passionately committed to translating fundamental research finding into real world applications, he co-founded and serves as President of two UW spin-off companies: bDrones, Inc. (advancing engineered 'bacterial drones' as cancer therapeutics) and MayPall, Inc. (commercializing dental antibiofilm products).

 

Current research in the Gomelsky lab is organized around three themes:

1. Engineering “bacterial drones” for targeted delivery of therapeutics in solid tumors.

2. Developing novel strategies to prevent biofilm formation in the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes and the dental pathogen Streptococcus mutans.

3. Engineering near-infrared light-activated enzymes as optogenetic tools for deep-tissue applications in mammals.

 

Curriculum Vitae