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    Microbiology & Cell Science

    Microbiology & Cell Science

    Jones Lab


    Host Microbe Interactions

    Jones Lab


    Host Microbe Interactions

    a photo of people standing at UF graduation. Including the members of the Melissa Jones Lab

    Our research lab utilizes a multidisciplinary strategy to study noroviruses. We explore the  relationship of how norovirus presence affects commensal microbes and how byproducts from gut-resident bacteria affect viral replication. We approach viral infection holistically by asking how all the factors at play are involved in norovirus infection. We tackle these questions using rigorous techniques in virology, bacteriology, and immunology, including transcriptomics and other omics technologies, the most up-to-date in vitro models for norovirus infections, and animal models for in vivo validation. Ultimately, we strive to discover how the host immune system controls viral replication in order to develop novel therapeutics for norovirus infection.  


    Our Research

    • Norovirus
    • Norovirus

      Due to the lack of a robust in vitro culture system for human noroviruses, we use murine norovirus (MNV) as a model. With MNV, we can study acute (MNV-1) and persistent (MNV-CR6) infections in vitro in murine immune cells such as macrophages. We also use mice as a tractable animal model for norovirus infections. We are interested in understanding norovirus infections so that we can develop preventatives and therapeutics for them. 

    • Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles
    • Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles

      Due to noroviruses being enteric viruses, they replicate in the gastrointestinal tract and thus, coexist with gut bacteria. We previously found that the presence of noroviruses induces a stress response and alters the production of extracellular vesicles by commensal microbes. This alteration in vesicle production affected not only the concentration of vesicles, but also their proteinaceous and lipid cargo content, suggesting that the bacteria sense and respond to proximity to norovirus particles.  

    • Host Immunity
    • Host Immunity

      We recently discovered that bacterial extracellular vesicles modulate murine norovirus replication in vitro. Specifically, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced by gram-negative enteric bacteria activate host innate immune pathways, which prime the host cell for an antiviral response. For example, DNA contained in the OMVs activate DNA-sensing pathways such as cGAS-STING and TLR9 to promote type I interferon production, which cause a decrease in viral replication. We are still investigating other factors about the OMVs for their affects on the host immune response in order to utilize them as therapeutics for acute and persistent norovirus infection. 

    • Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles
    • Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles

      Due to noroviruses being enteric viruses, they replicate in the gastrointestinal tract and thus, coexist with gut bacteria. We previously found that the presence of noroviruses induces a stress response and alters the production of extracellular vesicles by commensal microbes. This alteration in vesicle production affected not only the concentration of vesicles, but also their proteinaceous and lipid cargo content, suggesting that the bacteria sense and respond to proximity to norovirus particles. 

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    • Host Immunity
    • Host Immunity

      We recently discovered that bacterial extracellular vesicles modulate murine norovirus replication in vitro. Specifically, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced by gram-negative enteric bacteria activate host innate immune pathways, which prime the host cell for an antiviral response. For example, DNA contained in the OMVs activate DNA-sensing pathways such as cGAS-STING and TLR9 to promote type I interferon production, which cause a decrease in viral replication. We are still investigating other factors about the OMVs for their affects on the host immune response in order to utilize them as therapeutics for acute and persistent norovirus infection. 

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    • Publications
    • Publications
    • Publications
    • Publications
    • Apply to Our Graduate Program
    • Apply to Our Graduate Program

      Admissions and Application Information

      The University of Florida Graduate School requires an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to be eligible for admission. Fulfillment of the minimum requirement does not guarantee an applicant’s acceptance into the program. In evaluating each applicant, the department’s Graduate Committee members include in their consideration a thorough review of the transcript, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, area of research interest, etc. Students are encouraged to complete undergraduate coursework in biochemistry and microbiology before they apply.

      How to Apply

      Admission into the UF Microbiology and Cell Science graduate program requires that an applicant be accepted both by the UF Graduate School and by the Microbiology and Cell Science Department. To complete the application process, apply online via the Graduate School admissions web site and select the “Graduate” option to create an account and begin your application. Visit the UF Graduate School web page for step-by-step instructions on how to apply. Select the “Apply Now” icon below to go directly to the Ph.D. Application.

      Students are admitted to the PhD program each fall semester. Applications must be completed by December 15th to be considered for admission the following fall semester.

      We are not currently accepting applications for the thesis master’s degree program.

      Apply Now

      Required Application Materials

      • Application fee of $30.
      • Official Transcripts.
      • CV or resume.
      • Three letters of recommendation (LOR). We suggest that candidates request LOR from professional/academic mentors or colleagues that can comment on their academic/research experiences.
      • Personal statement. The personal statement should consist of a brief essay describing your research experience, career goals, and area of research interest (limit 500 words)
      • Supplemental information. Use this form to provide additional information that will be reviewed by the admissions committee
      • International Applicants must also submit TOEFL scores (a score of 23 or higher on the speaking section is required to be considered for admission).
        • TOEFL Score Codes for UF: Institution Code is 5812, Department Code is 07
        • We do not accept the IELTS

      Please contact Jacqueline Lee at jlee9@ufl.edu if you have any questions regarding the application process or deadline.

    • How to Apply to Our Graduate Program
    • How to Apply to Our Graduate Program

      Admissions and Application Information

      The University of Florida Graduate School requires an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 to be eligible for admission. Fulfillment of the minimum requirement does not guarantee an applicant’s acceptance into the program. In evaluating each applicant, the department’s Graduate Committee members include in their consideration a thorough review of the transcript, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, area of research interest, etc. Students are encouraged to complete undergraduate coursework in biochemistry and microbiology before they apply.

      How to Apply

      Admission into the UF Microbiology and Cell Science graduate program requires that an applicant be accepted both by the UF Graduate School and by the Microbiology and Cell Science Department. To complete the application process, apply online via the Graduate School admissions web site and select the “Graduate” option to create an account and begin your application. Select the “Apply Now” icon below to go directly to the Ph.D. Application.

      Students are admitted to the PhD program each fall semester. Applications must be completed by December 15th to be considered for admission the following fall semester.

      We are not currently accepting applications for the thesis master’s degree program.

      Apply Now

      Required Application Materials

      • Application fee of $30.
      • Unofficial Transcripts. Official transcripts will be required for all admitted students. 
      • CV or resume.
      • Three letters of recommendation (LOR). We suggest that candidates request LOR from professional/academic mentors or colleagues that can comment on their academic/research experiences.
      • Personal statement. The personal statement should consist of a brief essay describing your research experience, career goals, and area of research interest (limit 500 words)
      • Supplemental information. Use this form to provide additional information that will be reviewed by the admissions committee
      • International Applicants must also submit TOEFL or IELTS scores 
        • TOEFL Minimum Acceptable Scores: 4.5 overall, 4.0 on each subsection (4.5 required on the speaking section) 
          • TOEFL Score Codes for UF: Institution Code is 5812, Department Code is 07
        • IELTS Minimum Acceptable Scores: 6.5 overall (7 required on the speaking section) 
          • UF is registered to receive IELTS scores using the IELTS Results Service E-Delivery. Scores should be sent to the University of Florida, which only accepts scores from this E-delivery service. UF does not accept paper Test Report Forms or unofficial copies of IELTS Test Report Forms from students. Applicants should contact the IELTS test center where they took the IELTS to request their official test results be sent to our account name: The University of Florida. An institution code is not required.

      Please contact Jacqueline Lee at jlee9@ufl.edu if you have any questions regarding the application process or deadline.

      How to Join the Jones Lab

      To join the Jones lab, please email Dr. Jones (mmk@ufl.edu) to state your interest in her lab and inquire if she is seeking new graduate students in the upcoming application cycle.  

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    Jones Lab Members


    Dr. Melissa Jones

    Dr. Melissa Jones

    Principal Investigator

     
     
     
     
     
    Brooke Ritchie

    Brooke Ritchie

    Ph.D. Candidate

     
     
     
     
     
    Casey Jacobi

    Casey Jacobi

    Ph.D. Candidate

     
     
     
     
     
    Natalie Simonitsch

    Natalie Simonitsch

    Undergraduate Researcher

     
     
     
     
     
    Zoe Ladd

    Zoe Ladd

    Undergraduate Researcher

     
     
     
     
     
    Jordan Herron

    Jordan Herron

    Undergraduate Researcher

     
     
     
     
     
    Calista Coffey

    Calista Coffey

    Undergraduate Researcher

     
     
     
     
     
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    Microbiology & Cell Science Department
    1355 Museum Dr. Gainesville, FL, 32611 Building 981 P.O. Box 110700 Gainesville, FL 32611-0180
    (352) 392-1906

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