Kathryn E. (Gunn) Dye, Ph.D.

2006, Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL

2000, B.A. in Biology, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL

Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Genetics, Introductory Biology II

research interests

I am interested in viruses and how they interact with the cells they infect. In my research lab we ask questions such as: How does Ebola virus utilize the normal biology of the cell to gain entry and allow virus reproduction?

In particular, my lab studies a phenomenon called the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is a cellular control system that maintains cellular homeostasis. Normally, the UPR is utilized by human cells to achieve optimal cell function. However, in the course of an infection, some viruses use the UPR to drive virus reproduction at host cell expense. My lab studies whether Ebola virus infection and virion production require the UPR.

lab members

• Tom Gamble, C'22* – accepted to the University of Georgia's 2020 summer REU program in Molecular and Synthetic Microbiology
• Chelsea Wright, C'20
• Scott Korte, C'20
• Gary Rojewski, C'20
• John Owens, C'19* – Seeking medical school admission
• Caitlin McCormack, C'19* – Seeking medical school admission
• Mercedes Fuentes, C'18 – Enrolled in post-baccalaureate program at American University; employed as Dermatology Assistant; Seeking medical school admission
• Hunter Chisholm, C'19 – Universal Banker, Bank of the West
• Valerie Bakly, C'19* – Outpatient Medical Scribe; Seeking medical school admission
• Elizabeth O’Hare, C'19 – Fellow, Alliance for Catholic Education, pursuing master's in education; Seeking medical school admission
• Travis Marcionette, C'16 Process Validation Engineer, Catalent Biologics / Paragon Gene Therapy
• Michael Deschenes, C'17
• Joseph Pendrak, C'16 – Project Manager, Jamestown Painting & Decorating, Inc
• Victoria Cocozza, C'16* – Pursuing a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Robert Snyder, C'15*
• Rosa Vicente, C'15 – Associate Scientist II, BioReliance
• Claire McGrath, C'15* – Community Life Coordinator, L'Arche Jacksonville
• Mark Hojnoski, C15 – Business Development Executive, Insight Investments
• Julie Hestand, C'14* – Lab Technologist, Charles River Laboratories
• Safoah Agyemang, C'14 – Research Associate, Medical Professional Liability Association
• Jessica Boegner, C'14* – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
• Kathleen Callahan, C'14 – Parkway Neuroscience & Spine Institute
• Eddie Santana, C'13* – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Physician, St. John's Episcopal
• Martin Senese, C'13* – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Pediatrics Resident Physician, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
• Sheri Stricker, C'11
• Alicia Agnew, C'09* – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Medical Director, Operation Spay Bay, Inc.

*Denotes University Honors Program project completion

McCauslin CS, Gunn KE, Pirone D, Staiger J. qPCR for second year undergraduates: A short, structured inquiry to illustrate differential gene expression. Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2015 Jul-Aug;43(4):273-82. doi: 10.1002/bmb.20870. Epub 2015 Jul 6. PMID: 26148025.

Herbert AS, Davidson C, Kuehne AI, Bakken R, Braigen SZ, Gunn KE, Whelan SP, Brummelkamp TR, Twenhafel NA, Chandran K, Walkley SU, Dye JM. Niemann-pick C1 is essential for ebolavirus replication and pathogenesis in vivo. mBio. 2015 May 26;6(3):e00565-15. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00565-15. PMID: 26015498; PMCID: PMC4447246.

Gunn KE, McCauslin CS, Staiger J, Pirone DM. Inquiry-based learning: inflammation as a model to teach molecular techniques for assessing gene expression. J Microbiol Biol Educ. 2013 Dec 2;14(2):189-96. doi: 10.1128/jmbe.v14i2.542. PMID: 24358382; PMCID: PMC3867756.

Fagone P, Gunter C, Sage CR, Gunn KE, Brewer JW, Jackowski S. CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase alpha is required for B-cell proliferation and class switch recombination. J Biol Chem. 2009 Mar 13;284(11):6847-54. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M807338200. Epub 2009 Jan 12. PMID: 19139091; PMCID: PMC2652266.

Gunn KE, Brewer JW. Evidence that marginal zone B cells possess an enhanced secretory apparatus and exhibit superior secretory activity. J Immunol. 2006 Sep 15;177(6):3791-8. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.6.3791. PMID: 16951340.

Gunn KE, Gifford NM, Mori K, Brewer JW. A role for the unfolded protein response in optimizing antibody secretion. Mol Immunol. 2004 Jul;41(9):919-27. doi: 10.1016/j.molimm.2004.04.023. PMID: 15261464.

Gass JN, Gunn KE, Sriburi R, Brewer JW. Stressed-out B cells? Plasma-cell differentiation and the unfolded protein response. Trends Immunol. 2004 Jan;25(1):17-24. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2003.11.004. PMID: 14698280.

Browning DF, Beatty CM, Sanstad EA, Gunn KE, Busby SJ, Wolfe AJ. Modulation of CRP-dependent transcription at the Escherichia coli acsP2 promoter by nucleoprotein complexes: anti-activation by the nucleoid proteins FIS and IHF. Mol Microbiol. 2004 Jan;51(1):241-54. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03824.x. PMID: 14651625.