Karen Visick, PhD
Professor
Microbiology & Immunology
- Biofilm formation and dispersal in the context of an animal using the Vibrio fischeri-squid mutualism as a model.
Research Interests:
Education
Ph.D., University of Washington
Microbial Geneticist
Research Interests
Major Research Interests: Biofilm formation and dispersal in the context of an animal using the Vibrio fischeri-squid mutualism as a model.
Bacteria can form multi-cellular communities, or biofilms, in which individual cells are protected from environmental insults such as antibiotics by virtue of being (1) encased in a protective matrix comprised of polysaccharides and other macromolecules and (2) physiologically distinct from free-living, planktonic cells. Furthermore, biofilm formation enhances the ability of bacteria to colonize surfaces, including host tissues and abiotic surfaces such as medical implants. As a result of these characteristics, bacteria in biofilms are believed to be responsible for the majority of hospital-acquired infections. Due to their medical relevance, how biofilms form and how bacteria naturally leave (or disperse) from such biofilms is being intensively studied. Although numerous animal models of biofilm formation have been developed, few robustly demonstrate that mechanisms of biofilm formation uncovered in culture reflect what actually occurs in nature.
One such robust model, however, can be found in the Vibrio fischeri - squid (Euprymna scolopes) symbiosis. To colonize, V. fischeri first forms a biofilm-like aggregate on the surface of the symbiotic organ, then disperses from the aggregate to enter and ultimately colonize sites deep within the organ. Our work has shown that genes required for biofilm formation in laboratory culture are similarly required for symbiotic aggregation and colonization. Furthermore, genetic conditions that enhance biofilm formation in laboratory culture also strikingly enhance symbiotic biofilm formation and colonization. This strong correlation affords us an exceptional opportunity to develop and test hypotheses about the mechanisms of biofilm formation and dispersal in bacterial colonization of a eukaryotic host.
We have previously determined that biofilm formation and colonization depends on syp, an 18-gene locus involved in the production and export of a polysaccharide, and on regulators that control syp transcription. Our work continues to probe control over syp-dependent biofilm formation. We are also investigating the roles of genes, other than syp, that contribute to biofilm formation as well as those that control dispersal. These areas of our work provide insights into the varied mechanisms by which bacteria control biofilms both positively and negatively in the context of an animal host.
Publications/Research Listings
Corcoran, C. J., D. G. Glanville, Z. J. Resko, E. K. Cassin, D. Kamp, K. L. Visick, S. V. Nyholm, B. S. Tseng, A. R. Kroken, and A. T. Ulijasz. 2025. A versatile dual-color bacterial reporter system highlights two distinct Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type 3 secretion system intracellular populations. 2025. bioRxiv doi:10.1101/2025.07.23.666013:2025.07.23.666013.
Fung, B.L., C. Mullins, D. B. Rusch, Elizabeth G. Musto, J. C. van Kessel, and K. L. Visick. Genetic and biochemical analyses reveal direct interactions between LitR and genes important for Vibrio fischeri physiology, including biofilm production. 2025, J. Bacteriol. In press.
Fung, B.L., E. Musto, L. K. Mugambi, M. Lange, J. Tepavčević, and K. L. Visick. 2025. A single point mutation is sufficient to drive syp-dependent biofilm formation and promote colonization by Vibrio fischeri. J. Bacteriol. Jul 14:e0013125. doi: 10.1128/jb.00131-25. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40657914
Esin, J. J., K. L. Visick, and A. R. Kroken. 2025. Calcium signaling controls early-stage biofilm formation and dispersal in Vibrio fischeri. J Bacteriol 207:e00077-25. PMID: 40366159; PMCID: PMC12186489
Fung, B. L. and K. L. Visick. 2025. LitR and its quorum-sensing regulators modulate biofilm formation by Vibrio fischeri. J. Bacteriol. 2025 Feb; 207(2): e00476-24. doi: 10.1128/jb.00476-24. PMCID: PMC11841056
Septer, A.N. and K. L. Visick. 2024. Lighting the way: How the Vibrio fischeri model microbe reveals the complexity of Earth's "simplest" life forms. J. Bacteriol. 206(5):e0003524. doi: 10.1128/jb.00035-24. PMCID: PMC10882983
Fung, B.L., J. J. Esin, and K. L. Visick. 2024. Vibrio fischeri: a model for host-associated biofilm formation. J Bacteriol. 206:e00370-23. https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00370-23
Greenwich, J. L. D. Fleming, E. Banin, S. Häussler, B. V. Kjellerup, K. Sauer, K. L. Visick and C. Fuqua. 2023. The biofilm community resurfaces: new findings and post-pandemic progress. J. Bacteriology, 205(10):e0016623.
Dial, C. N., B. L. Fung, and K. L. Visick. 2023. Genetic analysis reveals a requirement for the hybrid sensor kinase RscS in pABA/calcium-induced biofilm formation by Vibrio fischeri. J. Bacteriol. 12:e0007523. doi: 10.1128/jb.00075-23. PMID: 37306594.
Milton, Morgan E. and K. L. Visick. 2023. Computational and cellular exploration of the protein-protein interaction between Vibrio fischeri STAS domain protein SypA and serine kinase SypE. Communicative & Integrative Biology, 16:1, 2203626, DOI: 10.1080/19420889.2023.2203626
Isenberg, R. Y., D. G. Christensen, K. L. Visick, and M. J. Mandel. 2022. High levels of cyclic diguanylate interfere with beneficial bacterial colonization. mBio. Aug 30;13(4):e0167122. doi: 10.1128/mbio.01671-22. PMID: 35916402. PMCID: PMC9426504.
Shrestha, P., A. Razvi, B. L. Fung, S. J. Eichinger, and K. L. Visick. 2022. Mutational analysis of Vibrio fischeri c-di-GMP-modulating genes reveals complex regulation of motility. J. Bacteriol. 204(7):e0010922. doi: 10.1128/jb.00109-22. PMID: 35758751; PMCID: PMC9295575.
Tischler, A. H., M. E. Vanek, N. Peterson, and K. L. Visick. 2021. Calcium-responsive diguanylate cyclase CasA drives cellulose-dependent biofilm formation and inhibits motility in Vibrio fischeri. mBio 12(6):e0257321. PMID: 34749532
Dial, C. N., L. Speare, G. C. Sharpe, S. M. Gifford, A. N. Septer and K. L. Visick. 2021. Para-aminobenzoic acid, calcium and c-di-GMP induce formation of cohesive, Syp-polysaccharide-dependent biofilms in Vibrio fischeri. mBio 12(5):e0203421. doi: 10.1128/mBio.02034-21. PMID: 34607467
Visick, K. L., E. V. Stabb, and E. G. Ruby. 2021. A lasting symbiosis: how Vibrio fischeri finds a squid partner and persists within its natural host. Nat Rev Microbiol. 19(10):654-665. doi: 10.1038/s41579-021-00557-0
Christensen, D.G., A.E. Marsden, K. Hodge-Hanson, T. Essock-Burns, and K. L. Visick. 2020. LapG mediates biofilm dispersal in Vibrio fischeri by controlling maintenance of the VCBS-containing adhesin LapV. Mol Microbiol. https://doi: 10.1111/mmi.14573.
Fuqua C, A. Filloux A, J.M. Ghigo, and K.L. Visick. 2019. Biofilms 2018: A diversity of microbes and mechanisms. J. Bacteriol. doi: 10.1128/JB.00118-1
Thompson, C. M., A. H. Tischler, D. Tarnowski, M.J. Mandel, and K. L. Visick. 2019. Nitric oxide inhibits biofilm formation by Vibrio fischeri via the nitric oxide-sensor HnoX. Mol Micro. 111(1):187-203.
Tischler, A. H., L. Lie, C. M. Thompson, and K. L. Visick. 2018. Discovery of calcium as a biofilm-promoting signal for Vibrio fischeri reveals new phenotypes and underlying regulatory complexity. J. Bacteriol. 200 (15): e00016-18.
Visick, K. L., K. M. Hodge-Hanson, A. H. Tischler, A. K. Bennett, and V. Mastrodomenico. 2018. Tools for rapid genetic engineering of Vibrio fischeri. Appl Environ Microbiol. 84:e00850-18.
Norsworthy, A. N. and K. L. Visick. 2015. Signaling between two interacting sensor kinases promotes biofilms and colonization by a bacterial symbiont. Mol Microbiol. 96: 233-248. doi: 10.1111/mmi.12932.
Morris, A. R., C. L. Darnell, and K. L. Visick. 2011. Inactivation of a novel response regulator is necessary for biofilm formation and host colonization by Vibrio fischeri. Mol Microbiol 82:114–130.
Mandel, M. J., M. S. Wollenberg, E. V. Stabb, K. L. Visick, and E. G. Ruby. 2009. A single regulatory gene is sufficient to alter bacterial host range. Nature 458:215-218.
Visick, K. L. 2009. An intricate network of regulators controls biofilm formation and colonization by Vibrio fischeri. Mol. Microbiol. 74:782-789.
Yildiz, F. H., and K. L. Visick. 2009. Vibrio biofilms: so much the same yet so different. Trends Microbiol. 17:109-118.
Yip, E. S., K. Geszvain, C. R. DeLoney-Marino, and K. L. Visick. 2006. The symbiosis regulator RscS controls the syp gene locus, biofilm formation and symbiotic aggregation by Vibrio fischeri. Mol. Microbiol.62:1586-1600
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