Our understanding of bacteriophage gene function is limited, and the majority of phage gene functions remain unknown. I am interested in identifying mycobacteriophage-encoded genes that are toxic/inhibitory when expressed in Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Using the detrimental phenotype as a gateway, I am exploring the mycobacterial pathways involved and the possible functions of these phage genes. This project will advance our knowledge about host-phage interactions and potentially lead to the discovery of new anti-tuberculosis drug targets.
Ching earned his M.S. degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular biology from Pennsylvania State University in 2006. He then worked as a Genome Center technician performing genome sequencing at the Biological Sciences Department in University of Pittsburgh, where he first encountered phages and developed his belief in the potential of phage for research and therapeutics. Ching recieived his Ph.D. from the Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology program at the University of Pittsburgh in 2018.
Ching can be contacted at:
Department of Biological Sciences
4249 5th Avenue
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-6976
chk56@pitt.edu