Postdoctoral research, University of Maryland School of Medicine
PhD., University of Wisconsin Madison, Bacteriology, 2000
M.S., University of Wisconsin Madison, Food Science, 1994
B.S., Penn State University, Microbiology, 1991

My program uses molecular biology and genomic approaches to study foodborne pathogens, with an emphasis on Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC).

The STEC family, including the most infamous member named enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 (EHEC) represents a diverse group of microorganisms that are unified by the production of Shiga toxin. These organisms can be transferred to foods that contact contaminated animal products, and when consumed causes disease in humans ranging from mild diarrhea to a more serious complication called hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

EAEC are more recently described organisms that are associated with cases of childhood and adult gastrointestinal disease. EAEC are spread through unsanitary conditions, and are also reported to cause foodborne illness.

Research in my lab involves studying pathogenesis, mechanisms of environmental survival, and genetic diversity of these organisms using molecular biology approaches. I also collaborate with other faculty in the department on projects related to the molecular biology and genomics of other foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, and on applying genomic approaches to study lactic acid bacteria.

Velarde JJ, Varney KM, Inman KG, Farfan M, Dudley E, Fletcher J, Weber DJ, Nataro JP. 2007. Solution structure of the novel dispersin protein of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli. Mol. Microbiol. 66:1123-1135.

Dudley, E. G., J. Parkhill, N. R. Thomson, N. P. Morin, and J. P. Nataro. 2006. Proteomic and microarray characterization of the AggR regulon identifies a pheU pathogenicity island in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli. Mol. Microbiol. 61:1267-82.

Dudley, E. G., C. Abe, J. -M. Ghigo, P. Latour-Lambert, J. C. Hormazabal, and J. P. Nataro. 2006. Type IV pilus mediated adherence of the atypical enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strain C1096 to cultured cells and abiotic surfaces. Infect. Immun. 74:2102-2114.

Harrington, S., E. G. Dudley, and J. P. Nataro. 2006. Pathogenesis of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli infection. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 254:12-18.

Shiekh, J., E. G. Dudley, and J. P. Nataro. 2006. An enteroaggregative Escherichia coli 042 HilA-homolog regulates a cascade of virulence-associated genes. Mol. Microbiol. 61:338-350.

Días-Muñiz, I., D. S. Banavara, M. F. Budinich, S. A. Rankin, E. G. Dudley, and J. L. Steele. 2006. Lactobacillus casei metabolic potential to utilize citrate as an energy source in ripening cheese: A bioinformatics approach. J. Appl. Microbiol. 101:872-882..

Jenkins, C., C. van Ijperen, E. G. Dudley, H. Chart, G. A. Willshaw, T. Cheasty, H. R. Smith and J. P. Nataro. 2005. Use of a microarray to assess the distribution of plasmid and chromosomal genes in strains of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 253:119-124

Dudley, E. G., and J. L. Steele. 2005. Citrate catabolic pathways of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus zeae, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. J. Appl. Microbiol. 98:14-23.