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Misty Thomas

Associate Professor

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Google Scholar

College
College of Science and Technology

Department
Biology

Contact
Barnes Hall G11
P: 336-285-2178
Education
Ph.D.Microbiology / University of Manitoba
OtherBiochemistry/Micro / University College of St. Boniface

Bio

Dr. Misty Thomas, an Associate Professor of Biology at North Carolina A&T State University, focuses on bacterial adaptation through genomics, computational biology, and molecular techniques. She earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Manitoba and completed postdoctoral research at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Her research investigates bacterial resistance to antibiotics, metals, and adaptation to extreme environments, such as microgravity.
Dr. Thomas leads projects funded by NASA and NSF, including studies on Streptococcus mutans biofilms in simulated microgravity and Escherichia coli resistance mechanisms. She has mentored numerous students and earned awards like the NCA&T Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award and the Provost Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring, reflecting her commitment to education and research.

Research Interests

My research focuses on bacterial adaptation through high-throughput genomics, computational biology, and molecular techniques. I investigate molecular mechanisms driving environmental adaptation, with a focus on two-component response systems (TCRS). This work is critical for understanding bacterial resistance to antibiotics, heavy metals, and adaptation to extreme environments like microgravity. Recent projects include studying adaptive mechanisms of Streptococcus mutans in simulated microgravity and resistance in Escherichia coli to metals like iron and silver. Key findings reveal bacterial co-adaptation to multiple stressors and the trade-offs between antibiotic resistance and metabolic fitness.

Recent Publications

  • Brittany Sanders, Jordan Miller, Noor Ahmidouch, Joseph Graves, Misty Thomas (2024). (Genotype-by-environment interactions govern fitness changes associated with adaptive mutations in two-component response systems. ). 15, Frontiers in Genetics.
  • Brittany Sanders, Lauren Thomas, Naya Lewis, Zaria Ferguson, Joseph Graves, Misty Thomas (2024). (It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right: Epistasis, Two-Component Response Systems, and Bacterial Adaptation. ). Microorganisms.
  • K Ike, D Okedoyin, J Alabi, O Adelusi, M Wuaku, L Olagunju, C Anotaenwere, D Gray, P Dele, A Kholif, Misty Thomas, Uchenna Anele (2024). (The combined effect of four nutraceutical-based feed additives on the rumen microbiome, methane gas emission, volatile fatty acids, and dry matter disappearance using an in vitro batch culture technique. ). 10, Fermentation.
  • Mizpha Fernander, Kelyah Spurgeon, Jada Graves, Winter Guess, Jordan Miller, Channel Mangum, Joseph Graves, Misty Thomas (2023). (Co-adaptation of Streptococcus mutans to simulated microgravity and silver nitrate: Using experimental evolution to evaluate the potential consequences of using silver as a biocide in space.). 10, pp. 168. Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences.
  • Brittany Sanders, Sydney Townsend, Maris Ford, Joseph Graves, Misty Thomas (2023). (Reporting off-target effects of recombinant engineering using the pORTMAGE system.). 204, pp. 106627. Journal of Microbiological Methods.
  • Mizpha Fernander, Paris Parsons, Billal Khaled, Amina Bradley, Joseph Graves, Misty Thomas (2022). (Adaptation to simulated microgravity in Streptococcus mutans). (17) 8, npjMicrogravity.
  • Jahangir Emrani, Maryam Ahmed, Liesl Jeffers-Francis, John Teleha, Nathan Mowa, Robert Newman, Misty Thomas (2021). (SARS-COV-2, infection, transmission, transcription, translation, proteins, and treatment: A review). 193, pp. 1249-1273. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
  • Misty Thomas, Akamu Ewunkem, S Boyd, D Williams, A Moore, Kristen Rhinehardt, E Van Beveren, B Yang, A Tapia, Jian Han, Scott Harrison, J Graves, Jr (2021). (Too much of a good thing: Adaption to iron (II) intoxication in Escherichia coli.). (1) 9, pp. 53-67. Evolution, medicine, and public health.
  • Jahangir Emrani, Maryam Ahmed, Robert Newman, Misty Thomas, Chishimba Mowa, John Teleha (2020). (Introducing Chemistry Students to Emerging Technologies in Gene Editing, Their Applications, and Ethical Considerations). (7) 97, pp. 1931-1943. Journal of Chemical Education.
  • Gail Joseph, Bo Zhang, Scott Harrison, Joseph Graves, Misty Thomas, Renuka Panchagavi, Akamu Ewunkem, Lijun Wang (2020). (Microbial community dynamics during anaerobic co-digestion of corn stover and swine manure at different solid content, carbon to nitrogen ratio and effluent volumetric percentages). (9) 55, pp. 1111-1124. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng.
  • J Graves, Jr, Akamu Ewunkem, John Ward, C Staley, Misty Thomas, Kristen Rhinehardt, Jian Han, Scott Harrison (2019). (Experimental evolution of gallium resistance in Escherichia coli.). (1) 2019, pp. 169-180. Evolution, medicine, and public health.
  • Joseph Graves, Misty Thomas, Jude Ewunkem (2017). (Antimicrobial Nanomaterials: Why Evolution Matters). (283) 7, Nanomaterials.
  • Merhdad Tajkarimi, Kristen Rhinehardt, Misty Thomas, Jude Akamu Ewunkem, Adero Campbell, Sada Boyd, Devana Turner, Scott Harrison, Joseph Graves (2017). (Selection for Ionic-Confers Silver Nanoparticle Resistance in Escherichia coli). (1) 5, pp. 1047. JSM Nanotechnology & Nanomedicine.
  • Sharon Portwood, Jeffrey Shears, Ellissa Nelson, Misty Thomas (2015). (Examining the impact of family services on homeless children). (4) 20, pp. 480-493. Child & Family Social Work.
  • Misty Thomas (2014). (The beta-lactamase Gene Regulator AmpR is a Tetramer that Recognizes and Binds the D-Ala-D-Ala Motif of its Repressor UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide). (5) 290, pp. 2630-43. The Journal of Biological Chemistry.
  • Misty Thomas (2010). (Crystal structure of the AmpR effector binding domain provides insight into the molecular regulation of inducible AmpC beta-lactamase). (5) 400, pp. 998-1010. The Journal of Molecular Biology.
  • Misty Thomas (2009). (Insight into a strategy for attenuating AmpC-mediated Beta-lactam resistance: structural basis for selective inhibition of the glycoside hydrolase NagZ). 18, pp. 1541-1551. Protein Science.
  • Misty Thomas (2007). (Small molecule inhibitors of a glycoside hydrolase attenuate inducible AmpC-mediated beta-lactam resistance). (29) 282, The Journal of Biological Chemistry.