← Back to Faculty Listing

Faculty member in the Biology Department since 1994.

Courses Regularly Taught

• Genetics
• Molecular Genetics Laboratory
• Advanced Projects
• Medical Microbiology
• Microbiology

Education

• Northland College, B.S.
• UW-Eau Claire, M.A.T.
• UW-Madison, Ph.D.
• Whitehead Institute/MIT, Postdoctoral work

Research

Dr. Patrick Guilfoile: My students and I use the tools of Molecular Genetics to study a variety of systems, particularly those involving parasites and hosts. Some of my more recent work has been the study of Ixodes scapularis ticks that transmit Lyme disease. This work has included a range of techniques from field collection to cDNA library construction and screening. In the past year, I have put more focus on working with aquatic animal parasites, working in collaboration with Dr. Donald Cloutman. This work has included molecular analysis of a common crayfish parasite, and the study of several fish parasites. One of the big questions we are examining is the genetic diversity of parasites based on their life history. In addition, I am interested in the development of laboratory exercises in microbiology and molecular genetics, and I am currently developing a microbiology laboratory manual with a somewhat molecular focus.

Recent publications include:

Guilfoile, P., and M. Packila. 2004. Identification of four genes expressed by feeding, female Ixodes scapularis, including three with sequence similarity to previously recognized genes. Experimental and Applied Acarology 32:103-110.

Longtin, S, P. Guilfoile, and A. Asper. 2004. Genotypic detection of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli: A classroom exercise. Journal of Biological Education 39(1):32-34

Guilfoile, P. 2004. Ticks Off! Controlling Ticks That Transmit Lyme Disease on Your Property. ForSte Press, Inc., Bemidji, MN.

Packila, M. and P. Guilfoile. 2002. Mating, male Ixodes scapularis express several genes including those with sequence similarity to immunoglobulin-binding proteins and metalloproteases. Experimental and Applied Acarology. 27:151-160.

Layfield, D. and P. Guilfoile. 2002. The prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) and the agent of Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (Rickettsiaceae: Ehrlichieae) in Ixodes scapularis (Acari:Ixodidae) collected during 1998 and 1999 from Minnesota. Journal of Medical Entomology, 39(1): 218-220.

Conway, G. and P. Guilfoile. 2002. Comparison of antibiotic resistance patterns of uropathogenic Escherichia coli in outpatient and in-patient populations from 1990 to 1996 in Bemidji, MN. Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science, 66: 1-3.

Sanders, K., and P. Guilfoile. 2000. New records of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae)in Minnesota. Journal of Vector Ecology, 25(2): 155-157.

Guilfoile, P. 2000. Exercises for the Molecular Biology Laboratory. Morton Publishing Company, Englewood, CO.