Jett Continues Important Research

September 25, 2002

Dr. Bradley Jett, James E. Hurley associate professor of biology at Oklahoma Baptist University, recently wrote a chapter of the book Foundations of Clinical Anthropology to be published by Lippincott & Wilkins as part of an extensive reference volume used by clinical ophthalmologists.

His chapter, "Host Defense Against Ocular Infection," is based on seven years of research on the mechanisms by which microorganisms infect and damage the eye and the immune mechanisms which protect the eye from infection.

Jett also recently published an article, "Host-Parasite Interactions in Staphylococcus aureus Keratitis," in the journal DNA and Cell Biology. His paper was presented at the International Molecular Pathogenesis of Infectious and Inflammatory Eye Research Conference in Oklahoma City.

The journal Infection and Immunity published his article, "Internalization of Staphylococcus aureus by Human Corneal Epithelial Cells: Role of Bacterial Fibronectin-Binding Protein and Host Cell Factors," this summer as well.

These two articles were rooted in research conducted over two summers by Jett in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Gilmore at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The research followed the infectious eye disease known as keratitis, which is the most common infectious eye disease and leads to loss of vision.

Through this research, Jett identified the key protein that allowed bacterium to attach to the surface of the eye and invade the cornea.

Jett received a bachelor's degree from OBU, a master's and doctoral degrees from OU's College of Medicine, and completed postdoctoral training at Washington University School of Medicine.

He and his wife, Teresa, who also is an OBU graduate, have two children and live in Shawnee.