Mariola J Ferraro
mjferraro.bsky.social
Mariola J Ferraro
@mjferraro.bsky.social
Currently working on Salmonella, Extracellular Vesicles, lipids and UPS
Join Us for The Fifth Annual American Society for Intercellular Communication Meeting
When: October 16 – 18, 2025
Where: William F. Bolger Center, Potomac, MD: asicbio.org/annual-meeti...
September 18, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Our new work: Deficiency of cannabinoid receptors enhances host susceptibility to bacterial infection | mBio journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Deficiency of cannabinoid receptors enhances host susceptibility to bacterial infection | mBio
Effective immunity against bacterial pathogens requires a delicate balance between microbial clearance and the containment of inflammatory damage encountered during many infections. The molecular pathways that regulate this equilibrium remain incompletely defined, and the involvement of bioactive lipid signaling mechanisms also needs to be better described. Here, we show that the endocannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R play non-redundant roles in host defense against Salmonella infection. CB1R deficiency results in exacerbated systemic inflammation, defective bacterial clearance, and dysregulated macrophage polarization. In contrast, CB2R deficiency leads post-infection to gut dysbiosis and has been found to negatively affect the outcome for the host in both systemic and mucosal infection with Salmonella. By describing cannabinoid receptor-specific contributions to immune regulation and microbiota dynamics, our findings reveal a previously underappreciated axis of host–pathogen interaction. This study broadens our understanding of lipid-mediated immune modulation and identifies CB1R and CB2R as potential targets for therapies aimed at restoring immune homeostasis and improving infectious disease outcomes.
journals.asm.org
September 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Our new study: Targeting deubiquitinating enzymes and ubiquitin pathway modulators to enhance host defense against bacterial infections | mBio journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Targeting deubiquitinating enzymes and ubiquitin pathway modulators to enhance host defense against bacterial infections | mBio
Antibiotic-resistant infections, particularly those caused by intracellular pathogens, represent an urgent public health threat due to their ability to evade immune responses and resist conventional antibiotics. This study identifies the ubiquitin-...
journals.asm.org
September 3, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Mariola J Ferraro
We are hiring! The Dept of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is looking for faculty at the Assistant or Associate professor level (tenure track). Please consider joining our vibrant microbiology and immunology community at the University of Pittsburgh School of medicine
August 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Mariola J Ferraro
Curious about new approaches to in human microbiome research? This @embl.org symposium will explore topics on host-microbe interactions, microbiome-targeted therapeutics, methodological advances in microbiome analysis, and more. Virtual registration open until Sep 9th. Learn more: plos.io/3Juw1zA.
August 22, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Reposted by Mariola J Ferraro
That concludes GRC Salmonella 2025. What a fantastic meeting it was - topnotch science, great discussions and a wonderful spirit. I am proud to be part of this amazing scientific community.
August 8, 2025 at 12:58 PM
New work from our and Kelly Rice lab: Impact of simulated microgravity on the growth and proteomic profile of Enterobacter cloacae | Microbiology Spectrum journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Impact of simulated microgravity on the growth and proteomic profile of Enterobacter cloacae | Microbiology Spectrum
Enterobacter cloacae can transition from a gut commensal to an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised hosts and in closed environments such as hospitals. This danger can be exacerbated by the emergence of multidrug-resistant E. cloacae strains. ...
journals.asm.org
April 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Reposted by Mariola J Ferraro
Cannabinoid receptor deficiencies drive immune response dynamics in Salmonella infection https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.10.642352v1
March 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Mariola J Ferraro
The Univ of California Office of the President sent this petition out today for any researchers, anywhere in the country to sign.

Please take just 1 min to sign it and distribute to other researchers before the hearing on Friday regarding indirects.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Protect NIH Research: Advocate for Full Funding
As researchers representing universities across the country, the last few weeks have been filled with uncertainty. As you are aware, the Trump administration’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) prop...
docs.google.com
February 19, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Reposted by Mariola J Ferraro
“…scientists at the University of Florida are making inroads into developing a vaccine for Salmonella infection, and at the same time Moderna is at Phase 3 trial stage with its jab for norovirus.”

Republicans: “This is woke! Make it illegal!”

newatlas.com/infectious-d...
Huge strides made in eradicating food poisoning and stomach flu symptoms
Be it from tap water on a vacation, some dodgy chicken, or something the kids have brought home from school, we've almost all been flattened by an awful stomach bug at some point in our lives. For mod...
newatlas.com
February 6, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Mariola J Ferraro
Scientists evaluated the efficacy of a small extracellular vesicle-based vaccine against circulating strains of Salmonella isolated from wastewater, providing a strategy for developing effective preventative measures against infection. #IAIJournal: asm.social/2fW
January 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Mariola J Ferraro
Come and join our team at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital! We are seeking a Sr Scientist to advance our research on immune responses to infection/vaccination. This is a financially stable position offering a highly competitive salary and excellent benefits.
talent.stjude.org/careers/jobs...
Senior Scientist-Immunology, Vaccinology, Infection in Memphis, Tennessee | St. Jude Careers
St. Jude Careers is hiring a Senior Scientist-Immunology, Vaccinology, Infection in Memphis, Tennessee. Review all of the job details and apply today!
talent.stjude.org
January 17, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Reposted by Mariola J Ferraro
Targeting deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) and ubiquitin pathway modulators to enhance host defense against bacterial infections https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.01.27.635188v1
January 29, 2025 at 10:18 PM