Charles W. Kaspar's Web Page

Charles W. Kaspar
Professor Department of Bacteriology Department of Animal Sciences mailing address: Food Research Institute University of Wisconsin–Madison 1550 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706–1521
telephone: 608-263-6936 fax: 608-263-1114 email: cwkaspar@wisc.edu

Principal Research Interests | Education | Current Research Projects | Recent Publications

PRINCIPAL RESEARCH INTERESTS

Acidophiles; microbial ecology; host–pathogen interactions; antibiotic resistance

The research in my laboratory focuses on microbial acid tolerance in acidophilic archea and fungi to neutrophiles like Escherichia coli. There is an emphasis on identifying and defining the function of proteins that afford protection to biomolecules, i.e. DNA, rather than pH homeostasis systems. In addition, studies with enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 are aimed at defining the role of acid tolerance in persistence in and out of the intestinal tract and developing intervention strategies that decrease its competitive fitness. Our research employs a number of molecular approaches to study key proteins and monitor organisms within the intestinal tract and environment.

EDUCATION

BS 1980, Biology, University of Nebraska–Omaha
MS 1983, Microbiology, Iowa State University
PhD 1986, Microbiology, Iowa State University
Postdoc, 1986–88, University of Maryland

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Life in acid.
Factors contributing to Escherichia coli O157:H7 shedding in cattle.
Mechanisms of acid tolerance in E. coli O157:H7 and other microbes.
Regulation of dps — a key acid tolerance protein in Escherichia coli O157:H7.
The use of egg yolk anti-O157:H7 immunoglobulin to clear E. coli O157:H7 from the intestinal tract of cattle.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS Search Pubmed for Publications Authored by Kaspar, C.W.

Jeong, K. C., M.-Y. Kang, C. Hiemke, I. Erol, J. A. Shere, and C. W. Kaspar. Isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from the gall bladder of inoculated and naturally infected cattle. Vet. Microbiol. 119:339–345 (2007).
Baumler, D. J., K. F. Hung, J. L. Bose, B. M. Vykhodets, C. M. Cheng, K.-C. Jeong, and C. W. Kaspar. Enhancement of acid tolerance in Zymomonas mobilis by a proton-buffering peptide. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 134:15–26 (2006).
Erol, I., K. C. Jeong, D. J. Baumler, B. Vykhodets,, S. H. Choi, and C. W. Kaspar. H-NS controls metabolism and stress tolerance in Escherichia coli O157:H7 that influence mouse passage. BMC Microbiol. 6:Art. No. 72 (2006).
Hung, K. F., J. J. Byrd, J. L. Bose, and C. W. Kaspar. Reduction of acid tolerance by tetracycline in Escherichia coli expressing tetA(c) is reversed by cations. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72:4472–4474 (2006).
Jeong, K.-C., D. J. Baumler, and C. W. Kaspar. dps expression in Escherichia coli O157:H7 requires an extended – 10 region and is affected by the cAMP receptor protein. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1759:51–59 (2006).
Baumler, D. J., K. C. Jeong, B. G. Fox, J. F. Banfield, and C. W. Kaspar. Sulfate requirement for heterotrophic growth of “Ferroplasma acidarmanus” strain fer1. Res. Microbiol. 156(4):492–498 (2005).
Hudock, J. F., A. C. Borger, and C. W. Kaspar. Temperature dependent coccoid formation and genome degradation in Campylobacter jejuni. Current Microbiology 50(2):110–113 (2005).
Macalady, J. L., M. M. Vestling, D. Baumler, N. Boekelheide, C. W. Kaspar, and J. F. Banfield. Tetraether-linked membrane monolayers in Ferroplasma spp.: a key to survival in acid. Extremophiles 8:411–419 (2004).
Byrne, C. M., I. Erol, J. E. Call, C. W. Kaspar, D. R. Buege, C. J. Hiemke, P. J. Fedorka-Cray, A. K. Benson, F. M. Wallace, and J. B. Luchansky. Characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from downer and healthy dairy cattle in the upper Midwest region of the United States. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69(8):4683–4688 (2003).
Calicioglu, M., C. W. Kaspar, D. R. Buege, and J. B. Luchansky. Effectiveness of spraying with tween 20 and lactic acid in decontaminating inoculated Escherichia coli O157:H7 and indigenous Escherichia coli biotype I on beef. J. Food Prot. 65:26–32 (2002).
Jones, D. L. and C. W. Kaspar. Human enteric pathogens in the farming environment. In: Agriculture, Hydrology, and Water Quality. P. M. Haygarth and S. C. Jarvis (eds.), pp. 133–153, CAB International (2002).
Shere, J. A., C. W. Kaspar, K. J. Bartlett, S. E. Linden, B. Norell, S. Francey, and D. M. Schaefer. Shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in dairy cattle housed in a confined environment following waterborne inoculation. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 68:1947–1954 (2002).
Choi, S. H., D. J. Baumler, and C. W. Kaspar. Contribution of dps to acid stress tolerance and oxidative stress tolerance in Escherichia coli O157:H7. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 66:3911–3916 (2000).
Price, S.B., C. M. Cheng, C. W. Kaspar, J. C. Wright, F. J. DeGraves, T. A. Penfound, M. P. Castanie-Cornet, and J. W. Foster. Role of rpoS in acid resistance and fecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 66:632–637 (2000).
Ansay, S.E., K. A. Darling, and C. W. Kaspar. Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground-beef patties during storage at 2, –2, 15 and then –2ºC, and –20ºC. J. Food Prot. 62:1243–1247 (1999).
Byrd, J. J., A. M. Cheville, J. L. Bose, and C. W. Kaspar. Lethality of a heat- and phosphate-catalyzed glucose by-product to Escherichia coli O157:H7 and partial protection conferred by the rpoS regulon. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65:2396–2401 (1999).
Roering, A.M., A.M. Ihnot, J.B. Luchansky, C.W. Kaspar, and S.C. Ingham. 1999. Comparative survival of Salmonella typhimurium DT104, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in preservative-free apple cider and simulated gastric fluid. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 46:263–269.
Cheng, C. M., and C. W. Kaspar. Growth and processing conditions affecting acid tolerance in Escherichia coli O157:H7. Food Microbiol. 15:157–166 (1998).
Faith, N. G., N. Parniere, T. Larson, T. D. Lorang, C. W. Kaspar, and J. B. Luchansky. Viability of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in salami following conditioning of batter, fermentation and drying of sticks, and storage of slices. J. Food Prot. 61:377–382 (1998).
Faith, N. G., R. K. Wierzba, A. M. Ihnot, A. M. Roering, T. D. Lorang, C. W. Kaspar, and J. B. Luchansky. Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in full- and reduced-fat pepperoni after manufacture of sticks, storage of slices at 4ºC or 21ºC under air and vacuum, and baking of slices on frozen pizza at 135, 191, and 246ºC. J. Food Prot. 61:383–389 (1998).
Gouveia, S., M. Proctor, M.-S. Lee, J. B. Luchansky, and C. W. Kaspar. Genome comparisons and Shiga toxin production among Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates from a day care center outbreak and sporadic cases in southeastern Wisconsin. J. Clin. Microbiol. 36:727–733 (1998).
Shere, J. A., K. J. Bartlett, and C. W. Kaspar. Longitudinal study of Escherichia coli O157:H7 dissemination on four dairy farms in Wisconsin. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64:1390–1399 (1998).
Ansay, S. E., and C. W. Kaspar. Survey of retail cheeses, dairy processing environments and raw milk for Escherichia coli O157:H7. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 25:131–134 (1997).
Buchrieser, C., R. Brosch, O. Buchrieser, A. Kristl, J. B. Luchansky, and C. W. Kaspar. Genomic analyses of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 strains from Austria and phage type 8 strains from the United States. Zbl. Bacteriol. 285:379–388 (1997).
Parveen, S., R. L. Murphree, L. Edmiston, C. W. Kaspar, K. M. Portier, and M. L. Tamplin. Association of multiple-antibiotic-resistance profiles with point and nonpoint sources of Escherichia coli in Apalachicola Bay. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63:2607–2612 (1997).

Cheville, A.M., K.W. Arnold, C.-M. Cheng, C. Buchrieser, and C.W. Kaspar. Role of rpoS in acid tolerance and stress resistance in Escherichia coli O157:H7. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:1822–1824 (1996).
Faith, N.G., J.A. Shere, R. Brosch, K.W. Arnold, S.E. Ansay, M.-S. Lee, J.B. Luchansky, and C.W. Kaspar. Prevalence and clonal nature of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on dairy farms in Wisconsin. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:1519–1525 (1996).
Hinkens, J., N. G. Faith, T. D. Lorang, P. Bailey, D. Buege, C. W. Kaspar, and J. B. Luchansky. Validation of pepperoni processes for control of Escherichia coli O157:H7. J. Food Protect. 59:1260–1266 (1996).
Lee, M.-S., C.W. Kaspar, R. Brosch, J. Shere, and J.B. Luchansky. Pulsed-field genomic fingerprinting of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from dairy calves isolated during the United States National Dairy Heifer Evaluation Project (1991–1992). Vet. Microbiol. 48:223–230 (1996).
Nickelson, R. II, J. Luchansky, C. Kaspar, and E. Johnson. Dry fermented sausage and E. coli O157:H7. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Chicago, IL. Research Report. No. 11-316, 11 pp. (1996).
Tamplin, M.L., R.L. Murphree, J. Keith Jackson, V. Ganger, L.G. Miller, C. Buchrieser, and C.W. Kaspar. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and ribotype profiles of clinical and environmental Vibrio vulnificus isolates. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:3572–3580 (1996).

Arnold, K.W., and C.W. Kaspar. Starvation- and stationary-phase-induced acid tolerance in Escherichia coli O157:H6. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:2037–2039 (1995).
Buchrieser, C., V.V. Gangar, R.L. Murphree, M.L. Tamplin, and C.W. Kaspar. Multiple Vibrio vulnificus strains in oysters as demonstrated by clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:1163–1168 (1995).
Faith, N.G., J.A. Shere, R. Brosch, K. Arnold, S. Ansay, M.-S. Lee, J.B. Luchansky, and C.W. Kaspar. Prevalence and clonal nature of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on dairy farms in Wisconsin. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:1519–1525 (1995).
Proctor, M.E., R. Brosch, J.W. Mellen, L.A. Garrett, C.W. Kaspar, and J.B. Luchansky. Use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to link sporadic cases of invasive listeriosis with recalled chocolate milk. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:3177–3179 (1995).

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