Research in the Culotta lab focuses on the role of metal ions and oxygen radicals in biology and disease. Metal ions such as copper, iron and manganese are not only trace nutrients but can be quite toxic. One mechanism of toxicity is through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that have been implicated in numerous human disorders from neurodegeneration to cancer to aging to infectious disease. Through molecular genetic approaches and high through-put genetic screens in yeast, we have identified a number genes and pathways that are involved in transition metal and reactive oxygen metabolism. Virtually all are well conserved throughout eukaryotes including humans. Most recently, we have begun to explore the unique metal and reactive oxygen challenges of pathogens, particularly the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Our laboratory uses a combination of model organism systems at the crossroads of bioinorganic chemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics.