Profile
Melanie Key
Biological Sciences
Grad Res Asst-Principle
Life Sciences Building 151 [Office]
Educational Background
B.S., Cellular and Molecular Microbiology, Auburn University, 2018
Research Interests
Nutrient acquisition, metabolism, host-pathogen interactions.
Research Group (Lab)
Dou Lab
Courses Taught
• Spring 2021-General Microbiology Lab
• Spring 2020- General Microbiology Lab
• Spring 2019- General Microbiology Lab
• Fall 2018- Introduction to Microbiology Lab
Selected Publications
L. Brock Thornton, Melanie Key, Chiara Micchelli, Andrew J. Stasic, Samuel Kwain, Katherine Floyd, Silvia N. J. Moreno, Brian N. Dominy, Daniel C. Whitehead, Zhicheng Dou
bioRxiv 2023.01.21.525043; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.21.525043
Malave-Ramos DR, Kennedy K, Key MN, Dou Z, Kafsack BFC. Safe, Effective, and Inexpensive Clearance of Mycoplasma Contamination from Cultures of Apicomplexan Parasites with Sparfloxacin. Microbiol Spectr. 2022 Oct 26;10(5):e0349722. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.03497-22. Epub 2022 Oct 3. PMID: 36190416; PMCID: PMC9603166.
Key M, Bergmann A, Micchelli C, Thornton LB, Millard S, Dou Z. 2020. Determination of chemical inhibitor efficiency against intracellular Toxoplasma gondii growth using a luciferase-based growth assay. JoVE 158:e60985.
Bergmann A, Floyd K, Key M, Dameron C, Rees KC, Thornton LB, Whitehead DC, Hamza I, Dou Z. 2020. Toxoplasma gondii requires its plant-like heme biosynthesis pathway for infection. PLOS Pathogens 16(5):e1008499.
Selected Talks
Host glycolytic metabolites serve as a vital fuel source for energy metabolism and intracellular survival of Toxoplasma gondii. CBEP, October 2022.
Host glycolytic metabolites serve as a vital fuel source for energy metabolism and intracellular survival of Toxoplasma gondii. Molecular Parasitology Meeting, September 2022.
Characterizing an Oxygen-Independent Coproporphyrinogen Dehydrogenase in Toxoplasma gondii. CBEP at Clemson University, October 2018.
Honors and Awards
• Catherine G. Nettles-Cutter, PhD ’92 Graduate Student Assistance Endowment- Spring 2022
• Sigma Xi Grant in Aid of Research - Spring 2021
• Biological Sciences Professional Development Grant in Aid of Research- Fall 2020
• 3rd Place Poster: ASM South Carolina Branch Meeting- April 2019
Degree Program
PhD Microbiology
Expected Graduation
Spring 2024
