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Peter Oelschlaeger, PhD, MS

Peter Oelschlaeger, PhD, MS

Associate Professor, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

College of Pharmacy

poelschlaeger@westernu.edu

Phone: 909-469-8232

  • Education

    Graduate Certificate:

    2022 Bioinformatics, Harvard University Extension School

    Sabbatical Leave:

    2018-2019 Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

    Postdoc:

    2007 Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California

    2004 Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology

    PhD:

    2002 Biology, University of Stuttgart

    MS:

    1999 Biology, University of Hohenheim

  • Research Interest

    The general goal of research in my laboratory is to elucidate mechanisms of infectious diseases. We study bacterial antibiotic resistance conferred by beta-lactamases. These enzymes constantly evolve to more efficiently inactivate beta-lactam antibiotics and to evade the action of beta-lactamase inhibitors, which are frequently co-administered with beta-lactams. We want to better understand how these enzymes and their encoding genes evolve. Recently, we have become interested in the role of synonymous mutations in this process. Techniques used in the laboratory include microbiological, biochemical, molecular modeling, and bioinformatics approaches.

  • Research Grant

    “Developing a website for metallo-beta-lactamase standard numbering”
    WesternU Intramural Grant, Role: PI, 2023-2024

    “Bicyclic beta-lactam antibiotics as poor substrates for metallo-beta-lactamases”
    NIH-NIAID R15 Subcontract, PI: John D. Buynak, 2014-2017

    “Studying the evolution of metallo-beta-lactamases and their role in antibiotic resistance through a combined computational and experimental approach”
    Research Corporation for Science Advancement – Cottrell College Science Award
    Role: PI, 2009-2010

  • Publications