Michael McConnell

Research Interests:

My current research focuses on using molecular approaches together with in vivo infection models to identify targets for the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics for antibiotic resistant infections. We are inspired by the idea that elucidating fundamental aspects of pathogen biology will allow us to gain insights that facilitate the development of new therapies.

Multidrug resistant bacterial species, such as Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae, have been classified as “Critical Priority Pathogens” by the World Health Organization due to the global dissemination of strains with resistance to multiple antibiotic classes. My primary research interest in this area is the identification and molecular characterization of bacterial factors that can serve as targets for the development of novel vaccines and therapies. Our group employs A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae as model microorganisms for therapeutic target identification in Gram-negative species. We use whole genome mutagenesis techniques and whole organism transcriptional profiling (e.g. RNA-seq) to identify bacterial factors that participate in infection and contribute to antibiotic resistance. We have a particular interest in the elucidation of antigens that can be employed in vaccine design, and their characterization in experimental infection models. Our group has employed genetic, proteomic, and computational approaches to identify multiple bacterial components for vaccine design (lipopolysaccharide, porins, and siderophore receptors, among others), and has experimentally validated these components as vaccine antigens in murine models. Our work in this area has also focused on technologies that will facilitate the development of vaccines for multidrug resistant infections, such as outer membrane vesicles, nucleic acid-based vaccines, and genetically attenuated vaccines.

My teaching focuses on engaging students to promote critical thinking skills in both classroom and laboratory settings. I enjoy drawing from my own research to provide authentic research experiences to undergraduate students at early career stages to promote the development of laboratory and problem-solving skills.

Biography:

• Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 2023-present
• Unit Head, Healthcare-associated Infections Unit, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, 2020-2023
• Associate Faculty, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, 2018-2023
• Group Leader, Biomedical Institute of Seville, 2012-2018
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Biomedical Institute of Seville, 2009-2011
• M.D. University of Michigan Medical School, 2009
• Ph.D. Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 2009
• B.S. Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 2001

Selected Publications:

• Cano-Castaño, B., Prieto Martín-Gil, S., Tajuelo A., Gato, E., Miguela-Villoldo P., Docando, F., Terrón, M.C., Megías, D., Cañada-García, J.E., Pérez-Vázquez, M., Peláez-García, A., Martín-Galiano, A.J., Corral-Lugo, A., Pérez, A., and McConnell, M.J. A multivalent OMV vaccine induces broad protection against major Klebsiella pneumoniae disease-causing serotypes. Nature Communications. (In press 2026).
• Vicente-Pazos, M., Lopez-Siles, M., and McConnell, M.J. In silico design and immunogenicity studies of two multi-epitope vaccines against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal. (In press 2026).
• Vicente-Pazos M, García-Ríos E, Quílez-Agraz L, Ustrell-Sallent G, Pérez-Romero P, López-Siles M, and McConnell, M.J. Pre-Clinical Development of Two DNA Vaccines Encoding MrkA of Klebsiella pneumoniae: Effect of Plasmid Backbone on Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy Against Sepsis. Microbial Biotechnology. (2026) Aug;19(8):e70434
• Vinuesa V, Cruces R, Cañada-García JE, Oteo-Iglesias J, Corral-Lugo A, and McConnell, M.J. Activity of LpxC inhibitors on carbapenemase-producing Citrobacter spp. clinical isolates. Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance. (2025) Sep;44:366- 370.
• López-Siles M, Tajuelo A, Caravaca-Fuentes P, Planas M, Feliu L, and McConnell, M.J. Identification and characterization of amphipathic antimicrobial peptides with broad spectrum activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Current Research in Microbial Sciences. (2025) Feb 13;8:100363.
• Sicilia C, Corral-Lugo A, Smialowski P, McConnell, M.J., Martín-Galiano AJ. Unsupervised Machine Learning Organization of the Functional Dark Proteome of Gram- Negative "Superbugs": Six Protein Clusters Amenable for Distinct Scientific Applications. ACS Omega. (2022) Dec 6;7(50):46131-46145.
• Olmeda-López H, Corral-Lugo A, and McConnell, M.J. Effect of Subinhibitory Concentrations of Antibiotics and Disinfectants on ISAba-Mediated Inactivation of Lipooligosaccharide Biosynthesis Genes in Acinetobacter baumannii. Antibiotics. (2021);10:1259.
• López-Siles M, Corral-Lugo A, and McConnell, M.J. Vaccines for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: lessons from the past for guiding future success. FEMS Microbiol Rev. (2021) 5;45(3):fuaa054.

Research Interests:

Infectious Diseases
Antibiotic Resistance
Vaccine Development
Bacterial Pathogenesis

Teaching Specialties:

Genetics
Anatomy and Physiology
Research Experience in Biology