Faculty Pages - UF College of Dentistry

Zezhang T. Wen

Oral Biology

Research Assistant Professor
(352) 846-2520
zwen@dental.ufl.edu

Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Molecular Microbiology, 1998

M.Sc., Clemson University, Food Microbiology, 1994

M.S.c., Huazhong Agr. University, Veterinary Pathology, 1986

D.V.M., Jiangxi Agr. University, Veterinary Medicine, 1983

Main Interests:

My research focuses primarily on

characterization of the LuxS-mediated regulatory mechanism in Streptococcus mutans and its role in regulation of stress tolerance and biofilm formation, traits critical to cariogenicity of this streptococcal pathogen, using functional assay, DNA microarray, confocal laser scanning microscopy and flowcells
molecular dissection of the mechanism that regulates metabolism of polysaccharides in Streptococcus mutans using site-directed mutagenesis, reporter-gene fusions and chemostat continuous cultivation under tightly controlled environmental and nutritional conditions
identification and characterization of genes that are required for adherence and biofilm development by Streptococcus mutans using functional genomics approach.

Publications:

Wen, Z.T., Suntharaligham, P., Cvitkovitch, D.G., & Burne, R.A. (2005). Trigger factor in Streptococcusmutans is involved in stress tolerance, competence development, and biofilm formation. Infect Immun., 73(1), 219-25.

Browngardt, C.M., Wen, Z.T., & Burne, R.A. (2004). RegM is required for optimal fructosyltransferase and glucosyltransferase gene expression in Streptococcus mutans. FEMS Microbiol Lett., 240(1), 75-9.

Wen, Z.T., & Burne, R.A. (2004). LuxS-mediated signaling in Streptococcus mutans is involved in regulation of acid and oxidative stress tolerance and biofilm formation. J Bacteriol., 186(9), 2682-91.

Wen, Z.T., Peng, L., & Morrison, M. (2003). The glutamine synthetase of Prevotella bryantii B(1)4 is a family III enzyme (GlnN) and glutamine supports growth of mutants lacking glutamate dehydrogenase activity. FEMS Microbiol Lett., 229(1), 15-21.

Wen, Z.T., & Burne, R.A. (2002). Functional genomics approach to identifying genes required for biofilm development by Streptococcus mutans. Appl Environ Microbiol. 68(3), 1196-203. Erratum in: Appl Environ Microbiol., 69(1), 722.

Wen, Z.T., & Burne, R.A. (2002). Analysis of cis- and trans-acting factors involved in regulation of the Streptococcus mutans fructanase gene (fruA). J Bacteriol., 184(1), 126-33.

Wen, Z.T., Browngardt, C., & Burne, R.A. (2001). Characterization of two operons that encode components of fructose-specific enzyme II of the sugar:phosphotransferase system of Streptococcus mutans. FEMS Microbiol Lett., 205(2), 337-42.

Wen, Z.T., & Burne, R.A. (2001). Construction of a new integration vector for use in Streptococcus mutans. Plasmid, 45(1), 31-6.

Burne, R.A., Wen, Z.T., Chen, Y.Y., & Penders, J.E. (1999). Regulation of expression of the fructan hydrolase gene of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 by induction and carbon catabolite repression. J Bacteriol., 181(9), 2863-71.