Dr. Wayne L. Hynes

Professor of Biological Sciences, Interim Chair 

Education:

Bachelor of Science (Honors) (Biology), Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand. 1981

Doctor of Philosophy (Microbiology), Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand. 1985

Teaching Responsibilities:

BIOL 315, General Microbiology 
BIOL 430/530, Microbial Pathogenesis
BIOL 705/805, Advanced Microbiology
BIOL 730/830, Emerging Infectious Diseases

Research Interests:

The major areas of my research in progress at the moment, and which will be the focus for myself and students over the next few years are (1) examination of the innate immune system of the hard ticks, in particular Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis by defining the gene, tissue of production and regulation of the defensins; in addition we are looking for addition antimicrobial agents associated with the innate immune response, (2) understanding the virulence of S. pyogenes, in particular the role of the streptococcal hyaluronate lyase by examining regulation, serotype association, protein analysis and secretion mechanisms, site-directed mutagenesis and animal models of infection, and (3) antibiotic resistance genes in Vibrio cholerae transported in ship ballast water. A brief outline of these research areas is described.

• INNATE IMMUNITY
• STREPTOCOCCAL HYALURONATE LYASE
• ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN BALLAST WATER
• OTHER PROJECTS

Selected Publications:

Hynes, W., C. Johnson and M Stokes. 2009. A single nucleotide mutation results in loss of enzymatic activity in the hyaluronate lyase gene of Streptococcus pyogenes . Microbial Pathogenesis. In Press.

Hynes, W. L., M. M. Stokes, S. M Hensley, S. M. Todd, and D. E. Sonenshine. (2008) Using RNA interference to determine the role of Varisin in the innate immune system of the hard tick Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 46: 7-15

Sonenshine, D.E. and W.L. Hynes. 2008. Molecular characterization and related aspects of the innate immune response in ticks. Front. Biosci. 13: 7046-7063

W.L. Hynes, S.M. Ceraul, S.M. Todd, K.C. Seguin, and D.E. Sonenshine. 2005. A defensin-like gene expressed in the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis. Med. Vet. Entomol. 19: 339-344.

Hynes, W.L. 2004. Extracellular virulence factors of group A streptococci and their regulation. (Review article). Frontiers in Bioscience. 9: 3399-3433

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