FDA Grand Rounds: Acquisition of Host Iron by Corynebacterium diphtheriae: Iron-Regulated Surface Factors as Possible Vaccine Candidates
September 14, 2023
The FDA Grand Rounds is webcast every other month to highlight cutting-edge research underway across the agency and its impact on protecting and advancing public health. Each session features an FDA scientist presenting on a key public health challenge and how FDA is applying science to its regulatory activities.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a gram-positive bacterium and the cause of the severe respiratory disease diphtheria. Diphtheria Toxin, the source for the current diphtheria vaccine, has been extensively investigated; however, factors critical for colonization and survival in the human host have not been well characterized in this important human pathogen. Recent diphtheria epidemics in several countries across the world emphasize the importance of not only maintaining adequate vaccination but also the development of improved vaccines that inhibit colonization of the bacteria. This presentation will focus on our current research into the characterization of C. diphtheriae surface proteins that are critical for heme-iron transport and are considered possible candidates for a future diphtheria vaccine.
- Lyman LR, Peng ED, Schmitt MP. 2021. The Corynebacterium diphtheriae HbpA hemoglobin-binding protein contains a domain that is critical for hemoprotein binding, cellular localization, and function. J Bacteriol. 203: e0019621
- Discuss the research conducted at the FDA
- Explain how FDA science impacts public health
- Explain the importance of maintaining adequate vaccination coverage against diphtheria.
This activity is intended for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other scientists within the agency and external scientific communities.
Lecture 1 September 14, 2023
Time | Topic | Speaker |
---|---|---|
12:00 - 1:00 PM EDT | Acquisition of Host Iron by Corynebacterium diphtheriae: Iron-Regulated Surface Factors as Possible Vaccine Candidates | Michael Schmitt, PhD |


Physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and those claiming non-physician CME: participants must attest to their attendance and complete the final activity evaluation via the CE Portal (ceportal.fda.gov). For multi-day activities, participants must attest to their attendance and complete the faculty evaluation each day. Final activity evaluations must be completed within two weeks after the activity - no exceptions.
Attention Pharmacists and Pharmacy Techs: Failure to provide your correct NABP AND Date of Birth information, in the required format, may result in the loss of credit for this activity. NABP profile number should be the 6-7 digit profile number assigned by the CPE Monitor and your birth date should be in the MMDD format (e.g. 0721) Do not provide your pharmacy license number. Please click the "My Account" tab and then navigate to "Edit Contact Information" to verify that your information is correct.
Attendees have 14 days from the last day of the activity to log in, complete the required evaluation(s) and attest to your attendance to claim credit.Physicians and nurses may then view/print statement of credit. Pharmacists should log into the CPE monitor 8 weeks after the last session of the activity to obtain their CE credit.
Faculty
- Schmitt, Michael, PhD, Supervisory Microbiologist, CBER/FDA - nothing to disclose
Planning Committee
- Dinatale, Miriam, DO, Team Leader, Food and Drug Administration - nothing to disclose
- Pfundt, Tiffany, PharmD, Senior Advisor, HHS/ASPR - nothing to disclose
- Wheelock, Leslie, RN, MS, Director, OSPD, FDA, OC, OCS, OSPD - nothing to disclose
CE Consultation and Accreditation Team
- Bueide, Rachel E., MPhil, Training Specialist, FDA/CDER/OEP/DLOD - nothing to disclose
- Bryant, Traci, M.A.T., Lead Training Specialist, FDA/CDER/OEP/DLOD - nothing to disclose
- Wood, Sara, Accreditation Program Administrator, CECAT, FDA/CDER/OEP/DLOD - nothing to disclose
All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.
Registration is complimentary, therefore refunds are not applicable.

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