Robert C. Shields Data-verified

Affiliation confirmed via AI analysis of OpenAlex, ORCID, and web sources.

Federal Grant PI

Assistant Professor

Arkansas State University

Last publication 2026 Last refreshed 2026-05-23

faculty

rshields@dental.ufl.edu

17 h-index 52 pubs 923 cited

Research Areas

Links

ORCID Lab Website

OverviewAI-generated summary

Robert C. Shields' research focuses on the genetics, evolution, and ecology of oral bacteria, particularly *Streptococcus mutans*. His work investigates mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer, including the activation and function of integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) like TnSmu1, and their role in bacterial evolution within the oral microbiome. Shields also studies the genomic diversification of *S. mutans*, exploring the impact of CRISPR spacer targets and utilizing transposon sequencing to identify essential genes. He has developed resources such as an arrayed CRISPRi library to facilitate essential gene function studies.

His research has been supported by federal grants from the NIH/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Shields collaborates with researchers at Arkansas State University, including Mohammad A. Alam, Shawn King, Amit Raj Sharma, and Fabricio Medina-Bolívar. His scholarship metrics include an h-index of 17, with 50 total publications and 911 total citations. Shields also contributes to the broader scientific community through his active lab website.

Metrics

h-index: 17
Publications: 52
Citations: 923

Selected Publications

Design, Synthesis, and Development of 4-[2-[3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)anilino]thiazolo-4-yl]phenol as a Dual Inhibitor of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis (FASII) to Clear MRSA Infection (2026)

DOI OpenAlex
High-level production of antibacterial pentacyclic triterpenoids from hairy root cultures of Bixa orellana via abiotic elicitation (2026)

DOI OpenAlex
Post-translational modifications via serine/threonine phosphorylation and GpsB in Streptococcus mutans (2025)

DOI OpenAlex
Post-translational modifications via serine/threonine phosphorylation and GpsB in Streptococcus mutans (2025)

DOI OpenAlex
Bacterial evolution in the oral microbiome: the role of conjugative elements and horizontal gene transfer (2025)

3 citations DOI OpenAlex
Characterization of MreCD in Streptococcus mutans (2025)

DOI OpenAlex
Enhanced Production of Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Prenylated Isoflavonoids in Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Hairy Root Cultures (2025)

2 citations DOI OpenAlex
Production of Malheuran A, a Geranylated Flavonoid with Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities, in Hairy Root Cultures of Dalea purpurea (2025)

3 citations DOI OpenAlex
MecA in Streptococcus mutans is a multi-functional protein (2024)

3 citations DOI OpenAlex
Genomic analysis of conjugative and chromosomally integrated mobile genetic elements in oral streptococci (2024)

2 citations DOI OpenAlex
Effect of peanut stilbenoids, arachidin-1 and arachidin-3, on Streptococcus mutans growth and acid production (2024)

2 citations DOI OpenAlex
Construction of an arrayed CRISPRi library as a resource for essential gene function studies in Streptococcus mutans (2023)

5 citations DOI OpenAlex
Development and Antibacterial Properties of 4-[4-(Anilinomethyl)-3-phenylpyrazol-1-yl]benzoic Acid Derivatives as Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Inhibitors (2023)

14 citations DOI OpenAlex
Interspecies competition in oral biofilms mediated by Streptococcus gordonii extracellular deoxyribonuclease SsnA (2022)

24 citations DOI OpenAlex
Activation of TnSmu1, an integrative and conjugative element, by an ImmR-like transcriptional regulator in Streptococcus mutans (2022)

10 citations DOI OpenAlex