overview
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At the University of Florida, I am studying the antimicrobial and immunological effects of beta-defensins. Currently, we are interested in the effects of antimicrobial peptide mimetics, which mimic the active site of antimicrobial peptides, on both oral and invasive candidiasis. We also are interested in anything that would enhance natural antimicrobial activity in either the oral cavity or the lung. The enhancement of antimicrobial peptide production by the host (patient) by Vitamin D is of great interest to us, as well as Vitamin D's ability to modulate other host proteins. We are studying mouse models of influenza, peridontitis and bacterial pneumonia to study effects on innate immunity, toxicity and host defense.