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Francis L. Macrina                                               

Vice President for Research
Edward Myers Professor 
Philips Institute of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology 
and Professor of Microbiology & Immunology
 

Tel:  804 828-0149
Fax: 804 828-0150		 Email:
macrina@vcu.edu 		P.O. Box:
980566		 VCU
Wood 401

 

Education

Professional Experience

Honors

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Research Interests


Our interests are centered on two important groups of human oral microbes: viridans streptococci and anaerobic Gram negative bacteria.  Our research takes a molecular genetic approach to the study of factors that are important to bacterial colonization and virulence.  In the case of the viridans streptococci we study several species, including  Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus parasanguis  and Streptococcus mutans.  At present, our principal focus is on the determination of the nucleotide sequence of the genome of Streptococcus sanguis SK36.  This sequence will facilitate the identification, isolation and characterization of putative virulence genes, all of which will be evaluated using an animal model system.  We also plan to use the completed genomic sequence of S. sanguis SK36 to conduct DNA microarray analyses to identify and characterize additional genes likely to be involved in virulence, but not easily predicted based on our present knowledge of pathogenesis.

We are also exploring the basis of virulence in the periodontopathic organism Porphyromonas gingivalis.  This obligate anaerobe is indigenous to the human oral cavity and is associated with the progression of periodontal disease marked by chronic inflammation, tissue destruction, and, in some cases, tooth loss.  A draft of the genome sequence of Porphyromonas gingivalis has recently been completed. The ability to do post-genomic analyses of this organism will be enhanced by the availability of genetic tools allowing the facile manipulation of genes in this organism.  Such tools include shuttle vectors, plasmids for insertion-duplication and allelic exchange mutagenesis, and plasmids for controlling or monitoring gene expression.  Using indigenous plasmids from closely related anaerobes we are designing and constructing such tools.

Lastly, we are involved in the educational research on the effectiveness of formal training in research ethics.  Despite a 13 year history of mandated instruction in responsible conduct in research (RCR) to some NIH-sponsored trainees and researchers, little is known about the effectiveness of such training.  There has been no systematic effort to determine if RCR instruction has measurable effects on awareness, attention, and behavioral judgments related to research ethics.   To shed light on RCR instruction effectiveness, we are using NIH-sponsored postdoctoral fellows to conduct a 3-wave survey to measure awareness, attention to, and behavioral judgment pre- and post-RCR instruction in one core area of RCR content, authorship and publication practices. Our a 3-wave panel design allows the measurement of the key dependent variables (awareness, attention, and behavioral decisions) prior to RCR instruction, shortly after RCR instruction, and then after a longer time has elapsed post-RCR instruction. We believe that the results of our broad-based, systematic approach will provide a foundation for understanding RCR teaching effectiveness and for suggesting strategies to improve it. 

 Publications:

  1. Kitten, T., C. Munro, S. Michalek, and F. L. Macrina. 2000. A Streptococcus mutans LraI family operon: Genetic characterization and role in virulence. Infection and Immunity 68: 4441-4451.
  2. Kalichman M.W., Macrina F.L., Kahn, J.P. 2001 Resources for  instruction in responsible conduct of research. In: (Stenek NH, Scheetz, MD, eds,) Investigating Research Integrity: Proceedings of the First ORI Research Conference on Research Integrity. [available online at: http://ori.hhs.gov/html/publications/rcri.html]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
  3. Kalichman, M. W.,  F. L. Macrina, and J.P. Kahn.  2002.   Resources for Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research.  Office of Research Integrity Conference Proceedings. Monograph available on-line at: http://ori.dhhs.gov/multimedia/acrobat/papers/kalichman.pdf
  4. Kitten, T., C. Munro, A. Wang, and F. L. Macrina. 2002. Vaccination with FimA from Streptococcus parasanguis protects rats from endocarditis caused by other viridans streptococci. Infection and Immunity 70: 422-425.
  5. Mann M.D., Kalichman M.W., and Macrina F.L. 2004. Education in the responsible conduct of research. The Psychologist. [http://www.the-aps.org/publications/tphys/2004html/AugTPhys/educresp.htm]
  6. Macrina F.L., Funk C.L., and Barrett, K. 2004. Effectiveness of Responsible Conduct of Research Instruction: Initial Findings. Journal of Research Administration 6: 6-12.
  7. Barrett K.A., Funk C.L., and Macrina F.L. 2005. Awareness of Publication Guidelines and the Responsible Conduct of Research. Accountability in Research 12: 103-206.
  8. Macrina F.L. 2005. Scientific Integrity: Text and Cases in Responsible Conduct of Research (Third Edition). American Society for Microbiology Press, Washington, D.C. 402 pp.

 

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Date last modified: 06/14/05