Dr. Simon J. Jakubowski
Biography
Simon Jakubowski was born in London, England, and immigrated to the United States while very young. He has lived in Vancouver Canada, Seattle Washington, and was raised in Houston Texas, becoming a naturalized citizen at the age of thirteen. Passionate about biology and chemistry from an early age, a move into research and teaching was a natural fit.
Having received his bachelors and doctorate, he has worked in research and education at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Texas A&M University Institute for Biosciences and Technology, and the University of West Florida. He has investigated macromolecular transport of virulence determinants in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, constructed bacterial collagen-like proteins for the purposes of wound healing, and worked with the Department of Defense to protect our nation's food sources against bioterror.
In his free time, Simon loves traveling to Europe and Central America with his wife Lisa. He enjoys water and winter sports, and when not teaching or performing research, he can be found at the beach, or in the mountains.
Degrees Earned
Ph.D. Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health, 2005
B.S. Applied Microbiology, Minor- Industrial Chemistry, University of Houston-Downtown, 1996
Courses Taught
MBIO 1305, MBIO 1310, MBIO 2105, MBIO4210
Experience Qualifications
Texas A&M University - Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Houston, TX, 2012-2013
Postdoctoral Research Fellow,
Supervisor(s): Magnus Hook, Ph.D./Brooke Russell, Ph.D.
Bioengineered and produced bacterial collagen-like (BCL) proteins as biomaterials
The University of Texas - Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, 2007-2011
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Supervisor(s): Peter J. Christie, Ph.D.
Investigated structural and mechanistic components of Type IV Secretion System (T4SS)
The University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, 2006-2007
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Supervisor(s): Joseph E. Lepo, Ph.D.
Designed PCR/ Q-PCR based assays for Bioterrorism Investigations for Department of Defense funded research grant
The University of Texas - Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, 1996-2005
Graduate Research Fellow
Supervisor(s): Peter J. Christie, Ph.D.
Investigated membrane protein structure and function for the T4SS of Agrobacterium tumefaciens
More Information
Research and Academic Interest
How macromolecular molecules are moved about in living systems continues to fascinate me. As do the products microbes manufacture for survival, whether that be caustic molecules or antibiotic production to gain a growth advantage over the competition, or the enzymatic products used to catabolize molecules into smaller units that are either oxidized to release energy, or used in other anabolic reactions.
As a professor, my focus remains teaching, mentoring, and guiding students through the labyrinth of their science education. I've had the luck to have many amazing mentors and professors who have cajoled, tutored, and nudged me to this point in my own career. I'm guided by much of what I've learned from so many. The professors I found most effective were those that made me want to do well, inspired me to do well, and had more belief in my abilities than I did. And they were right. Their mission is now my vocation.
Publications
Whitaker, N., Y. Chen, S. J. Jakubowski, M. Sarkar, F. Li, and P. J. Christie. 2015. The All-Alpha Domains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Enterococcus faecalis PCF10-encoded Type IV Secretion Systems Confer Specificity of Binding of Cognate DNA Substrates. J. Bacteriol. JB 00189-15.
Sarkar, M. K., S. I. Husnain, S. J. Jakubowski, and P.J Christie. 2013. Isolation of Bacteriol Type IV Machine Subassemblies. Methods Mol Biol. 2013;966:187-204. Doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-245-2_12.
Jakubowski, S. J., J. E. Kerr, I. Garza, V. Krishnamoorthy, R. Bayliss, G. Waksman, and P. J. Christie. 2009. Agrobacterium VirB10, domain requirements for type IV secretion and T pilus biogenesis. Mol. Microbiol. 71(3):779-794.
Jakubowski, S. J., E. Cascales, V. Krishnamoorthy, and P. J. Christie. 2005. Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB9, an outer membrane-associated component of a type IV secretion system, regulates substrate selection and T-pilus biogenesis. J. Bacteriol. 187(10):3486-95.
Cascales, E., K. Atmakuri, V. Krishnamoorthy, S. J. Jakubowski, and P. J. Christie. 2005. Biogenesis, Architecture, and Function of Type IV Secretion Systems. ARM. 59:451-485.
Jakubowski, S. J., V. Krishnamoorthy, E. Cascales, and P. J. Christie. 2004. Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB6 domains direct the ordered export of a DNA substrate through a type IV secretion system. J. Mol. Biol. 341:961-977.
Jakubowski, S. J., V. Krishnamoorthy, and P. J. Christie. 2003. Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB6 protein participates in formation of VirB7 and VirB9 complexes required for type IV secretion. J. Bacteriol. 185(9):2867-78.
Ding, Z., Z. Zhao, S. J. Jakubowski, A. Krishnamohan, W. Margolin, and P. J. Christie. 2002. A novel cytology-based, two-hybrid screen for bacteria applied to protein-protein interaction studies of a type IV secretion system. J. Bacteriol. 184(20):5572-82.
Sagulenko, V., E. Sagulenko, S. J. Jakubowski, E. Spudich, and P. J. Christie. 2001. VirB7 lipoprotein is exocellular and associates with the Agrobacterium tumefaciens T pilus. J. Bacteriol. 183(12):3642-51.
Awards
2016 UHD Outstanding Adjunct Teaching Award