Mark S. Smeltzer
Sourced from institutional research profiles (UAMS TRI or ARA).
Infectious Disease Research - UAMS Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Inflammatory Responses
Also affiliated: Rhodes College (2017); Arkansas Children's Hospital (2005); Kansas State University (1992–1994); University of Arkansas Medical Center (2006); United States Equestrian Federation (2006); United States Army Medical Research and Development Command (2015); Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (2015); Schlumberger (Ireland) (2023); Zimmer Biomet (United States) (2016); Bipar (1999–2009); Nelson Engineering (United States) (2005); Creative Research Enterprises (United States) (2016); Arkansas Department of Agriculture (2005); University of Memphis (2016–2017)
Faculty Researcher
Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine
Research Areas
Biomedical Subjects
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Mark S. Smeltzer's research focuses on the pathogenesis of bacterial infections, particularly those caused by *Staphylococcus aureus*. His work investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying these infections, including the role of bacterial virulence factors, gene expression regulation, and the formation of biofilms. Smeltzer has received significant federal funding to support this research, including multiple NIH grants totaling over $2 million, serving as PI on several awards focused on microbial pathogenesis and host inflammatory responses. His laboratory has explored strategies for combating *Staphylococcus aureus* infections, such as evaluating local antibiotic delivery systems using bone filler scaffolds and investigating novel anti-Gram-positive bacterial agents. Smeltzer also leads a research group and maintains an active lab website, indicating a commitment to advancing and disseminating knowledge in his field.
His scholarly contributions are evidenced by a substantial publication record, with 168 total publications and over 11,000 citations, reflecting a h-index of 55. His recent publications delve into specific aspects of *Staphylococcus aureus* pathogenesis, including the impact of protease production on virulence, the role of specific genetic mutations (e.g., *purR*, *sarA*) in virulence factor accumulation, and the host immune response, such as RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation in osteomyelitis models. Smeltzer collaborates with several researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, including Karen E. Beenken and Mara J. Campbell, with whom he has co-authored numerous publications, highlighting a strong collaborative network within his institution. His designation as a fellow of the ARA Academy and recognition as a highly cited researcher underscore his impact in the field of infectious diseases.
Metrics
- h-index: 55
- Publications: 169
- Citations: 11,189
Selected Publications
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Osteomyelitis (2026)
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A transcriptomic-driven segmentation and cell simulation framework for high-resolution spatial transcriptomics and cell-cell communication (2026)
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Mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis and therapeutic recalcitrance of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> osteomyelitis (2026)
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Lipolysis of host triacylglyceride-rich lipoproteins creates a toxic microenvironment for <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (2026)
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Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm-Associated Infections: Have We Found a Clinically Relevant Target? (2025)
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Staphylococcus aureus Proteins Implicated in the Reduced Virulence of sarA and sarA/agr Mutants in Osteomyelitis (2025)
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The ability of <i>sarA</i> to limit protease production plays a key role in the pathogenesis of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> osteomyelitis irrespective of the functional status of <i>agr</i> (2024)
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RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation is required for bone loss in a murine model of Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis (2024)
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Increased production of aureolysin and staphopain A is a primary determinant of the reduced virulence of <i>Staphylococcus aureus sarA</i> mutants in osteomyelitis (2024)
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Comparative evaluation of small molecules reported to be inhibitors of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> biofilm formation (2023)
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Cartilage-inspired surface textures for improved tribological performance of orthopedic implants (2022)
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The major role of <i>sarA</i> in limiting <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> extracellular protease production is correlated with decreased virulence in diverse clinical isolates in osteomyelitis (2022)
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Pyroptosis and pyroptosis-inducing cancer drugs (2022)
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Is amplification bias consequential in transposon sequencing (TnSeq) assays? A case study with a Staphylococcus aureus TnSeq library subjected to PCR-based and amplification-free enrichment methods (2021)
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Evaluation of a bone filler scaffold for local antibiotic delivery to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infection in a contaminated bone defect (2021)
ARA Academy 2017 ARA Fellow
Dr. Smeltzer dedicates his research to combating Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial pathogen responsible for approximately 20,000 American deaths annually. He focuses on bone infections and those involving indwelling orthopaedic devices. He also serves as Program Director of a COBRE promoting infectious disease research capacity at UAMS and central Arkansas.
Policy Impact
Leads a COBRE center promoting infectious disease research capacity in central Arkansas, generating NIH institutional funding and training biomedical researchers.
Growth Areas
['Population Health Innovations & Clinical Research']
Federal Grants 4 $2,046,459 total
Clinician Research Education and Scientific Training (CREST) Program
Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Host Inflammatory Responses
Research Interests
Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcal infection, Osteomyelitis, Biofilm, Regulation
Grants & Funding
As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.
- sarA as a Target for the Treatment and Prevention of Staphylococcal Biofilm-Associated Infection US Department of the Army Principal Investigator
- sar-mediated regulation in Staphylococcus aureus NIH Principal Investigator
- Capsule regulatory network in S. aureus pathogenesis NIH Co-Investigator
- Biofilm Dissemination in Staphylococcus aureus NIH/Nat. Inst. of Allergy & Infectious Diseases via University of Southern Mississippi Principal Investigator
- Investigating a Flexible, Degradable Local Antimicrobial Delivery System - Continuation - Continuation DHHS - Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority via University of Memphis Principal Investigator
- Chitosan films for prevention of wound infections US Department of the Army Principal Investigator
- Identification of Novel Regulatory Elements Contributing to Virulence in Staphylococcal Endocarditis American Heart Association Principal Investigator
- Controlled Delivery of Cis-2-decenoic Acid for the Prevention of Infection by Bacterial Biofilms US Department of Defense Principal Investigator
- Daptomycin as an antimicrobial agent in the treatment of staphyloccal biofilm-associated infection Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Principal Investigator
- INfection Prevention Through Implant Coating Biomet Manufacturing, LLC via University of Memphis Principal Investigator
- Advanced Development and Validation of a Nanomaterial-Based Scaffold for Bone Regeneration and Antimicrobial Drug Delivery Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs via University of Arkansas at Little Rock Principal Investigator
- Detection, diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal infection NIH Principal Investigator
- ADHESINS AND STAPHYLOCOCCAL OSTEOMYELITIS NIH Principal Investigator
- Regulation of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm by Rbf NIH Co-Investigator
- Novel linear lipopeptide paenipeptins sensitize multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens to antibiotics - Continuation Year 2020-2021 NIH/Nat. Inst. of Allergy & Infectious Diseases Co-Investigator
- A nanotherapeutic approach to combat staphylococcal biofilm-associated infection NIH Principal Investigator
- A Novel Human Lung Infection Platform to Define Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Determinants NIH Co-Investigator
- Genetic Manipulation of sarA Mutants US Department of Agriculture Principal Investigator
- Understanding the Antimicrobial Mechanism of Metal Nanoparticles using Super Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy National Science Foundation via University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Principal Investigator
- Investigating a Flexible, Degradable Local Antimicrobial Delivery System DHHS - Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority via University of Memphis Principal Investigator
- Regulation of biofilm formation in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus NIH Principal Investigator
- Antibiotic-Loaded Biopolymer Sponge for Prevention of Polymicrobial Wound Infection US Department of Defense via University of Memphis Principal Investigator
- Enhancing the prevention and treatment of orthopaedic infections associated with traumatic injury US Department of Defense Principal Investigator
- Smeltzer Start Up Account UAMS College of Medicine Principal Investigator
- Advanced Development and Testing of a Nanomaterial-Based Scaffold for Bone Regeneration and Drug Delivery U.S. Army Medical Research & Material Command via University of Arkansas at Little Rock Principal Investigator
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
- Evaluation of a bone filler scaffold for local antibiotic delivery to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infection in a contaminated bone defect
- Limiting protease production plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the divergent clinical isolates of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> LAC and UAMS-1
- RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation is required for bone loss in a murine model of Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis
- The Increased Accumulation of Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Factors Is Maximized in a <i>purR</i> Mutant by the Increased Production of SarA and Decreased Production of Extracellular Proteases
- Increased production of aureolysin and staphopain A is a primary determinant of the reduced virulence of <i>Staphylococcus aureus sarA</i> mutants in osteomyelitis
Showing 5 of 12 shared publications
- Evaluation of a bone filler scaffold for local antibiotic delivery to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infection in a contaminated bone defect
- RANKL-mediated osteoclast formation is required for bone loss in a murine model of Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis
- Increased production of aureolysin and staphopain A is a primary determinant of the reduced virulence of <i>Staphylococcus aureus sarA</i> mutants in osteomyelitis
- The ability of <i>sarA</i> to limit protease production plays a key role in the pathogenesis of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> osteomyelitis irrespective of the functional status of <i>agr</i>
- Comparative evaluation of small molecules reported to be inhibitors of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> biofilm formation
Showing 5 of 7 shared publications
- Evaluation of a bone filler scaffold for local antibiotic delivery to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infection in a contaminated bone defect
- Limiting protease production plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the divergent clinical isolates of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> LAC and UAMS-1
- The Increased Accumulation of Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Factors Is Maximized in a <i>purR</i> Mutant by the Increased Production of SarA and Decreased Production of Extracellular Proteases
- Increased production of aureolysin and staphopain A is a primary determinant of the reduced virulence of <i>Staphylococcus aureus sarA</i> mutants in osteomyelitis
- The major role of <i>sarA</i> in limiting <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> extracellular protease production is correlated with decreased virulence in diverse clinical isolates in osteomyelitis
- The Increased Accumulation of Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Factors Is Maximized in a <i>purR</i> Mutant by the Increased Production of SarA and Decreased Production of Extracellular Proteases
- Is amplification bias consequential in transposon sequencing (TnSeq) assays? A case study with a Staphylococcus aureus TnSeq library subjected to PCR-based and amplification-free enrichment methods
- The Increased Accumulation of Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Factors Is Maximized in a <i>purR</i> Mutant by the Increased Production of SarA and Decreased Production of Extracellular Proteases
- Is amplification bias consequential in transposon sequencing (TnSeq) assays? A case study with a Staphylococcus aureus TnSeq library subjected to PCR-based and amplification-free enrichment methods
- The Increased Accumulation of Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Factors Is Maximized in a <i>purR</i> Mutant by the Increased Production of SarA and Decreased Production of Extracellular Proteases
- Comparative evaluation of small molecules reported to be inhibitors of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> biofilm formation
- Evaluation of a bone filler scaffold for local antibiotic delivery to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infection in a contaminated bone defect
- Limiting protease production plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the divergent clinical isolates of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> LAC and UAMS-1
- Staphylococcal infection prevention using antibiotic‐loaded mannitol–chitosan paste in a rabbit model of implant‐associated osteomyelitis
- Staphylococcal infection prevention using antibiotic‐loaded mannitol–chitosan paste in a rabbit model of implant‐associated osteomyelitis
- Staphylococcal infection prevention using antibiotic‐loaded mannitol–chitosan paste in a rabbit model of implant‐associated osteomyelitis
- Staphylococcal infection prevention using antibiotic‐loaded mannitol–chitosan paste in a rabbit model of implant‐associated osteomyelitis
- Staphylococcal infection prevention using antibiotic‐loaded mannitol–chitosan paste in a rabbit model of implant‐associated osteomyelitis
- Staphylococcal infection prevention using antibiotic‐loaded mannitol–chitosan paste in a rabbit model of implant‐associated osteomyelitis
- Evaluation of bone and kidney toxicity of BT2-peg2, a potential carrier for the targeted delivery of antibiotics to bone
- Evaluation of bone and kidney toxicity of BT2-peg2, a potential carrier for the targeted delivery of antibiotics to bone
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