Prof. Luyan Ma

Biography

Education and Positions  1987-1991:  B.Sc. in Biology, Beijing Agricultural University, China 1991-1996:  Ph.D. in Microbiology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China Professional Experience 1996-2000: Assistant and Associate Professor，Dept. of Microbiology, China Agricultural University 1998-1999: Postdoctoral Fellow, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France 2000-2004: Visiting Scholar, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA 2005-2008: Research Associate, Wake Forest University Medical School, Winston-Salem, NC   2008-2009: Research Assistant Professor, the Ohio State University Medical School, Columbus, OH 2010-current: Professor, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science

Research Interest

The surface-associated communities of microorganisms, biofilms, are prevalent in environmental and clinical settings. Biofilm bacteria are encased in an extracellular matrix and possess unique characteristics that are not seen in conventional test tube-grown bacteria. Therefore there is a growing appreciation for the need to study biofilm bacteria. Our primary research interests are to explore and define molecular mechanisms for biofilm persistence and eventually to design therapies for control of biofilm-related complications in medical, industrial, and environmental settings. The current research focuses are: 1. how does a biofilm matrix form? 2. the role of extracellular proteins in biofilm formation and persistence; 3. programmed cell death and autolysis in biofilms; 4. the biofilms of nitrogen-fixing bacteria and its applications.