Mairi C. Noverr, PhD

Associate Professor of Oral & Craniofacial Biology
Adjunct Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology

1100 Florida Avenue, Room 8405
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 941-8055

mnover@lsuhsc.edu

Degrees

Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

B.A. in Biology from Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI

Bio

Dr. Noverr received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Kalamazoo College in Michigan in 1996. She then received her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Michigan in 2002. Dr. Noverr trained as a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Gary Huffnagle at the University of Michigan Medical School, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Subsequently she accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Immunology and Microbiology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2005. Dr. Noverr came to LSUHSC in 2009 as an Associate Professor in the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Biology.

Research Interests

The Noverr laboratory focuses on investigating mechanisms of immunomodulation by the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans during host-pathogen interactions.  The majority of humans are chronically colonized at various mucosal surfaces with C. albicans. This fungal pathogen can cause a variety of infections, ranging from superficial mucosal disease to invasive candidiasis. The appropriate host response to infection is tissue specific, and can contribute either to clearance or immunopathology.  We are interested in understanding niche-specific host and microbial mechanisms contributing to commensalism and pathogenesis during disease. Previous work from our laboratory revealed that C. albicans produces immunomodulatory oxylipins that are similar in function to host eicosanoids.  These fungal oxylipins not only can influence the host immune response, but also alter the microbiology of the fungus, promoting morphogenesis and biofilm formation.  Projects in the laboratory include determining the effects of host eicosanoids and fungal oxylipins during Candida pathogenesis, in modulating host immune cell function, and in Candida morphogenesis and biofilm formation, both monomicrobial and polymicrobial. In addition, the laboratory is investigating novel in vivo models of biofilm formation at mucosal surfaces, both during experimental vaginitis and denture stomatitis. Overall, these models will allow investigation of host, bacterial, and fungal factors that affect Candida biofilms in a clinically relevant setting.

Teaching Activities

Microbial Biofilms (under development)
Advanced Immunology

Selected Publications

  1. Harriott, MM, and MC Noverr. 2009. Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus Form Polymicrobial Biofilms with Increased Antibiotic Resistance. Antimicrob. Agents Ch. 53(9):3914-22.
  2. Shreiner, A, Huffnagle, GB, and MC Noverr. 2008. The “Microbiota Hypothesis” of Allergic Disease. In GI Microbiota and Regulation of the Immune System. Landes Bioscience.
  3. Erb-Downward, JR, and MC Noverr. 2007. Characterization of prostaglandin E2 production by Candida albicans. Infect. Immun. 75:3498-505.
  4. Noverr, MC, and GB Huffnagle. 2004. Regulation of hyphal transformation in Candida albicans by host and bacterial fatty acids. Infect. Immun: 72:6206-6210.
  5. Noverr, MC, Falkowski, NR, McDonald, RA, McKenzie, AN, and GB Huffnagle. 2005. The development of allergic airway disease in mice following antibiotic therapy and fungal microbiota increase: role of genetics, antigen and IL-13. Infect. Immun. 73:30-8.