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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Food and Feed Safety Research » People & Locations » Brian Mack
Brian Michael Mack
Food and Feed Safety Research
Computational Biologist

Phone: (504) 286-4378
Fax:

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Projects
Development of Aflatoxin Resistant Corn Lines Using Omic Technologies
In-House Appropriated (D)
  Accession Number: 440095
Aflatoxin Control through Identification of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors Governing the Aspergillus Flavus-Corn Interaction
In-House Appropriated (D)
  Accession Number: 440096

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
Investigating the impact of flavonoids on aspergillus flavus: Insights into cell wall damage and biofilms Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Castano-Duque, L.M., Lebar, M.D., Mack, B.M., Lohmar, J.M., Carter Wientjes, C.H. 2024. Investigating the impact of flavonoids on aspergillus flavus: Insights into cell wall damage and biofilms. The Journal of Fungi. 10(9). 665. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10090665.
Divergent Aspergillus flavus corn population is composed of prolific conidium producers: implications for saprophytic disease cycle Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sweany, R.R., Mack, B.M., Gebru, S.T., Mammel, M.K., Cary, J.W., Moore, G.G., Lebar, M.D., Carter Wientjes, C.H., Gilbert, M.K. 2024. Divergent Aspergillus flavus corn population is composed of prolific conidium producers: implications for saprophytic disease cycle. Mycologia. https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.2024.2343645.
Genomic and metabolomic diversity within a familial population of Aspergillus flavus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Microbiota of maize kernels as influenced by Aspergillus flavus infection in susceptible and resistant inbreds Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Moore, G.G., Chalivendra, S., Mack, B.M., Gilbert, M.K., Cary, J.W., Rajasekaran, K. 2023. Microbiota of maize kernels as influenced by Aspergillus flavus infection in susceptible and resistant inbreds. Frontiers in Microbiology. 14. Article 1291284. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1291284.
Complete genome of the toxic mold Aspergillus pseudotamarii isolate NRRL 25517 reveals genomic instability of the aflatoxin biosynthesis cluster Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Legan, A.W., Mack, B.M., Mehl, H.L., Wissotski, M., Ching'anda, C., Maxwell, L.A., Callicott, K.A. 2023. Complete genome of the toxic mold Aspergillus pseudotamarii isolate NRRL 25517 reveals genomic instability of the aflatoxin biosynthesis cluster. G3, Genes/Genomes/Genetics. 13(9). Article jkad150. https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkad150.
Genome sequencing Louisiana Aspergillus flavus population to understand corn-fungal interaction - (Abstract Only)
Putative core transcription factors affecting virulence in Aspergillus flavus during infection of maize Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gilbert, M.K., Mack, B.M., Lebar, M.D., Chang, P.-K., Gross, S.R., Sweany, R.R., Cary, J.W., Rajasekaran, K. 2023. Putative core transcription factors affecting virulence in Aspergillus flavus during infection of maize. The Journal of Fungi. 9(1):118. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010118.
Small NRPS-like enzymes in Aspergillus sections Flavi and Circumdati selectively form substituted pyrazinone metabolites Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lebar, M.D., Mack, B.M., Carter Wientjes, C.H., Wei, Q., Mattison, C.P., Cary, J.W. 2022. Small NRPS-like enzymes in Aspergillus sections Flavi and Circumdati selectively form substituted pyrazinone metabolites. Frontiers in Fungal Biology. 3:1029195. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2022.1029195.
Development of sexual structures influences metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles in Aspergillus flavus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Luis, J.M., Carbone, I., Mack, B.M., Lebar, M.D., Cary, J.W., Gilbert, M.K., Bhatnagar, D., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Payne, G.A., Moore, G.G., Ameen, Y.O., Ojiambo, P.S. 2022. Development of sexual structures influences metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles in Aspergillus flavus. Fungal Biology. 126:187-200.
Vibrio gazogenes inhibits aflatoxin production through downregulation of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes in Aspergillus flavus Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kandel, S.L., Jesmin, R., Mack, B.M., Majumdar, R., Gilbert, M.K., Cary, J.W., Lebar, M.D., Gummadidala, P.M., Calvo, A.M., Rajasekaran, K., Chanda, A. 2022. Vibrio gazogenes inhibits aflatoxin production through downregulation of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes in Aspergillus flavus. PhytoFrontiers. 2(3):218-229. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTOFR-09-21-0067-R.
Genetic responses and aflatoxin inhibition during co-culture of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sweany, R.R., Mack, B.M., Moore, G.G., Gilbert, M.K., Cary, J.W., Lebar, M.D., Rajasekaran, K., Damann Jr, K.E. 2021. Genetic responses and aflatoxin inhibition during co-culture of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus. Toxins. 13:794. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13110794.
Flavonoids modulate the accumulation of toxins from Aspergillus flavus in maize kernels Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Castano-Duque, L.M., Gilbert, M.K., Mack, B.M., Lebar, M.D., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Sickler, C.M., Cary, J.W., Rajasekaran, K. 2021. Flavonoids modulate the accumulation of toxins from Aspergillus flavus in maize kernels. Frontiers in Plant Science. 12:761446. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.761446.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis of Aspergillus niger cultured in peanut or cashew nut flour based media Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mattison, C.P., Mack, B.M., Cary, J.W. 2021. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of Aspergillus niger cultured in peanut or cashew nut flour based media. Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology. 9(05):56-63. https://doi.org/10.7324/JABB.2021.9508.
Chromosome-level aspergillus flavus strain CA14 genome assembly Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Weaver, M.A., Mack, B.M., Gilbert, M.K. 2021. Chromosome-level aspergillus flavus strain CA14 genome assembly. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 10(1):e01150-20. https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.01150-20.
Characterization of morphological changes within stromata during sexual reproduction in Aspergillus flavus Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Luis, J.M., Carbone, I., Payne, G.A., Bhatnagar, D., Cary, J.W., Moore, G.G., Lebar, M.D., Wei, Q., Mack, B., Ojiambo, P.S. 2020. Characterization of morphological changes within stromata during sexual reproduction in Aspergillus flavus. Mycologia. 112(5):908-920. https://doi.org/10.1080/00275514.2020.1800361.
The secondary metabolism of Aspergillus flavus: small molecules with diverse biological function - (Abstract Only)
Genome sequence of an Aspergillus flavus CA14 strain that is widely used in gene function studies Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chang, P.-K., Scharfenstein, L.L., Mack, B.M., Hua, S.T. 2019. Genome sequence of an Aspergillus flavus CA14 strain that is widely used in gene function studies. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 8(33):e00837-19. https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00837-19.
Identification of a copper-transporting ATPase involved in biosynthesis of A. flavus conidial pigment Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chang, P.-K., Scharfenstein, L.L., Mack, B.M., Wei, Q., Gilbert, M.K., Lebar, M.D., Cary, J.W. 2019. Identification of a copper-transporting ATPase involved in biosynthesis of A. flavus conidial pigment. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 103:4889-4897. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-019-09820-0.
Targeting polyamine metabolism for control of fungal pathogenesis and increasing host resistance during the maize-Aspergillus flavus interaction - (Abstract Only)
The aspergillic acid biosynthetic gene cluster predicts neoaspergillic acid production in Aspergillus section Circumdati Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lebar, M.D., Mack, B.M., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Gilbert, M.K. 2019. The aspergillic acid biosynthetic gene cluster predicts neoaspergillic acid production in Aspergillus section Circumdati. World Mycotoxin Journal. 12(3):213-222. https://doi.org/10.3920/WMJ2018.2397.
Aspergillus flavus secondary metabolites and their roles in fungal development, survival and virulence - (Abstract Only)
Genome sequences for 20 georeferenced Aspergillus flavus isolates - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Weaver, M.A., Mack, B.M., Gilbert, M.K. 2019. Genome sequences for 20 georeferenced Aspergillus flavus isolates. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 8(11):01718-18.
Developmental and metabolic processes impacted in Aspergillus flavus during maize kernel infection under various environmental conditions - (Abstract Only)
RNA-seq Analysis of Aspergillus flavus during infection of resistant and susceptible cultivars of maize reveals gene networks correlating with host resistance - (Abstract Only)
The transcriptional regulator Hbx1 affects the expression of thousands of genes in the aflatoxin-producing fungus Aspergillus flavus Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cary, J.W., Entwistle, S., Satterlee, T., Mack, B.M., Gilbert, M.K., Chang, P.-K., Scharfenstein, L.L., Yin, Y., Calvo, A. 2019. The transcriptional regulator Hbx1 affects the expression of thousands of genes in the aflatoxin-producing fungus Aspergillus flavus. G3, Genes/Genomes/Genetics. 9(1):167-178. https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.118.200870.
Development of genomic resources for the powdery mildew, Erysiphe pulchra Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wadl, P.A., Mack, B.M., Beltz, S.B., Moore, G.G., Baird, R.E., Rinehart, T.A., Molnar, T.J., Staton, M.E., Hadziabdic, D., Trigiano, R.N. 2019. Development of genomic resources for the powdery mildew, Erysiphe pulchra. Plant Disease. 103:804-807. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-18-0719-A.
A metagenomics study of the corn kernel and silk microbiome following infection with aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains - (Abstract Only)
Environmental interactions that influence secondary metabolism and development in the saprophytic crop pathogen Aspergillus flavus - (Abstract Only)
Whole genome comparison of Aspergillus flavus L-morphotype strain NRRL 3357 (type) and S-morphotype strain AF70 Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gilbert, M.K., Mack, B.M., Moore, G.G., Downey, D.L., Lebar, M.D., Joarder, V., Losada, L., Yu, J., Nierman, W.C., Bhatnagar, D. 2018. Whole genome comparison of Aspergillus flavus L-morphotype strain NRRL 3357 (type) and S-morphotype strain AF70. PLoS One. 13(7):e0199169. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199169.
Identification and functional analysis of the aspergillic acid gene cluster in Aspergillus flavus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lebar, M.D., Cary, J.W., Majumdar, R., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Mack, B.M., Wei, Q., Uka, V., De Saeger, S., Diana Di Mavungu, J. 2018. Identification and functional analysis of the aspergillic acid gene cluster in Aspergillus flavus. Fungal Genetics and Biology. 116:14-23.
Aspergillus flavus GPI-anchored protein-encoding ecm33 has a role in growth, development, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and maize infection Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chang, P.-K., Zhang, Q., Scharfenstein, L.L., Mack, B.M., Yoshimi, A., Miyazawa, K., Abe, K. 2018. Aspergillus flavus GPI-anchored protein-encoding ecm33 has a role in growth, development, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and maize infection. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 102:5209-5220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-9012-7.
Genome sequence of an aflatoxigenic pathogen of Argentinian peanut, Aspergillus arachidicola - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Moore, G.G., Mack, B.M., Beltz, S.B., Puel, O. 2018. Genome sequence of an aflatoxigenic pathogen of Argentinian peanut, Aspergillus arachidicola. BMC Genomics. 19:189. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-018-4576-2.
The Aspergillus flavus spermidine synthase (spds) gene, is required for normal development, aflatoxin production, and pathogenesis during infection of maize kernels - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Majumdar, R., Lebar, M.D., Mack, B.M., Minocha, R., Minocha, S., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Sickler, C.M., Rajasekaran, K., Cary, J.W. 2018. The Aspergillus flavus spermidine synthase (spds) gene, is required for normal development, aflatoxin production, and pathogenesis during infection of maize kernels. Frontiers in Plant Science. 9:317. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00317.
Carbon dioxide mediates the response to temperature and water activity levels in Aspergillus flavus during infection of maize kernels Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gilbert, M.K., Medina, A., Mack, B.M., Lebar, M.D., Rodriguez, A., Bhatnagar, D., Magan, N., Obrian, G., Payne, G. 2018. Carbon dioxide mediates the response to temperature and water activity levels in Aspergillus flavus during infection of maize kernels. Toxins. 10(1):5. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins10010005.
The Aspergillus flavus homeobox gene, hbx1, is required for development and aflatoxin production Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cary, J.W., Harris-Coward, P.Y., Scharfenstein, L.L., Mack, B.M., Chang, P.-K., Wei, Q., Lebar, M.D., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Majumdar, R., Mitra, C., Banerjee, S., Chanda, A. 2017. The Aspergillus flavus homeobox gene, hbx1, is required for development and aflatoxin production. Toxins. 9(10):315. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins9100315.
Interactions between water activity and temperature on the Aspergillus flavus transcriptome and aflatoxin B1 production - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Medina, A., Gilbert, M.K., Mack, B.M., OBrian, G.R., Rodriguez, A., Bhatnagar, D., Payne, G., Magan, N. 2017. Interactions between water activity and temperature on the Aspergillus flavus transcriptome and aflatoxin B1 production. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 256:36-44.
Transcriptome of Aspergillus flavus aswA (AFLA_085170) deletion strain related to sclerotial development and production of secondary metabolites - (Other)
Chang, P.-K., Scharfenstein, L.L., Mack, B.M., Li, R.W. 2017. Transcriptome of Aspergillus flavus aswA (AFLA_085170) deletion strain related to sclerotial development and production of secondary metabolites. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Accession: SRP082149.
Effect of water activity, temperature, and carbon dioxide on the Aspergillus flavus transcriptome and aflatoxin B1 production - (Other)
Gilbert, M.K., Medina-Vaya, A., Mack, B.M., Lebar, M.D., Rodriguez, A., Bhatnagar, D., Magan, N., Obrian, G., Payne, G. 2017. Effect of water activity, temperature, and carbon dioxide on the Aspergillus flavus transcriptome and aflatoxin B1 production. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Accession: PRJNA380582.
Naturally occurring high oleic acid cottonseed oil: identification and functional analysis of a mutant allele of Gossypium barbadense fatty acid desaturase-2 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shockey, J., Dowd, M., Mack, B., Gilbert, M., Scheffler, B., Ballard, L., Frelichowski, J., Mason, C. 2017. Naturally occurring high oleic acid cottonseed oil: identification and functional analysis of a mutant allele of Gossypium barbadense fatty acid desaturase-2. Planta. 245:611-622.
Draft genome sequence of an aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species, A. bombycis Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Moore, G.G., Mack, B.M., Beltz, S.B., Gilbert, M.K. 2016. Draft genome sequence of an aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species, A. bombycis. Genome Biology and Evolution. 8(11):3297-3300. https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evw238.
Use of functional genomics to assess the climate change impact on Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Gilbert, M.K., Mack, B.M., Payne, G.A., Bhatnagar, D. 2016. Use of functional genomics to assess the climate change impact on Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production. World Mycotoxin Journal. 9(5):665-672. https://doi.org/10.3920/WMJ2016.2049.
Draft genome sequences of two closely related aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species obtained from the Ivory Coast - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Moore, G.G., Mack, B.M., Beltz, S.B. 2015. Draft genome sequences of two closely related aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species obtained from the Ivory Coast. Genome Biology and Evolution. 8(3):729-732.
RNA sequencing of an nsdC mutant reveals global regulation of secondary metabolic gene clusters in Aspergillus flavus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gilbert, M.K., Mack, B.M., Wei, Q., Bland, J.M., Bhatnagar, D., Cary, J.W. 2016. RNA sequencing of an nsdC mutant reveals global regulation of secondary metabolic gene clusters in Aspergillus flavus. Microbiological Research. 182:150-161.
Transcriptome analysis of Aspergillus flavus reveals veA-dependent regulation of secondary metabolite gene clusters, including the novel aflavarin cluster - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cary, J.W., Han, Z., Yin, Y., Lohmar, J.M., Shantappa, S., Harris-Coward, P.Y., Mack, B.M., Ehrlich, K.C., Wei, Q., Arroyo-Manzanares, N., Uka, V., Vanhaecke, L., Bhatnagar, D., Yu, J., Nierman, W.C., Johns, M., Sorensen, D., Shen, H., De Saeger, S., Diana Di Mavungu, J., Calvo, A.M. 2015. Transcriptome analysis of Aspergillus flavus reveals veA-dependent regulation of secondary metabolite gene clusters, including the novel aflavarin cluster. Eukaryotic Cell. 14(10):983-997. doi: 10.1128/EC.00092-15.
Genomic sequence of the aflatoxigenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus nomius Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Moore, G.G., Mack, B.M., Beltz, S.B. 2015. Genomic sequence of the aflatoxigenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus nomius. BMC Genomics. 16:551. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-015-1719-6.
Analysis of an nsdC mutant in Aspergillus flavus reveals an extensive role in the regulation of several secondary metabolic gene clusters - (Abstract Only)
Comparison of expression of secondary metabolite biosynthesis cluster genes in Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. oryzae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehrlich, K., Mack, B.M. 2014. Comparison of expression of secondary metabolite biosynthesis cluster genes in Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. oryzae. Toxins. 6:1916-1928.
RNA-seq analysis of an nsdC mutant in Aspergillus flavus - (Abstract Only)
Genomic sequence for the aflatoxigenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus nomius - (Other)
Transcriptomic profiles of Aspergillus flavus CA42, a strain that produces small sclerotia, by decanal treatment and after recovery - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chang, P.-K., Scharfenstein, L.L., Mack, B.M., Yu, J., Ehrlich, K. 2014. Transcriptomic profiles of Aspergillus flavus CA42, a strain that produces small sclerotia, by decanal treatment and after recovery. Fungal Genetics and Biology. 68:39-47.
Transcriptomic profiling of decanal effects on Aspergillus flavus gene expression in development and secondary metabolism - (Other)
Chang, P-K., Scharfenstein, L.L., Yu, J., Mack, B.M., Ehrlich, K.C., Losada, L., Nierman, W.C., Bhatnagar, D. 2014. Transcriptomic profiling of decanal effects on Aspergillus flavus gene expression in development and secondary metabolism. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Accession: SRX471362.
Testing the efficacy of eGFP-transformed Aspergillus flavus as biocontrol strains - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Moore, G.G., Mack, B.M., Beltz, S.B. 2013. Testing the efficacy of eGFP-transformed Aspergillus flavus as biocontrol strains. Food and Nutrition Sciences. 4:469-479. doi:10.4236/fns.2013.44060.
Association with AflR in endosomes reveals new functions for AflJ in aflatoxin biosynthesis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ehrlich, K., Mack, B.M., Wei, Q., Li, P., Roze, L.V., Dazzo, F., Cary, J.W., Bhatnagar, D., Linz, J.E. 2012. Association with AflR in endosomes reveals new functions for AflJ in aflatoxin biosynthesis. Toxins. 4:1582-1600.
Deletion of the Aspergillus flavus orthologue of A. nidulans fluG reduces conidiation and promotes production of sclerotia but does not abolish aflatoxin biosynthesis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chang, P-K., Scharfenstein, L.L., Mack, B.M., Ehrlich, K. 2012. Deletion of the Aspergillus flavus orthologue of A. nidulans fluG reduces conidiation and promotes production of sclerotia but does not abolish aflatoxin biosynthesis. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 78(21):7557-7563.
NsdC and NsdD affect Aspergillus flavus morphogenesis and aflatoxin production - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cary, J.W., Harris-Coward, P.Y., Ehrlich, K., Mack, B.M., Kale, S.P., Larey, C., Calvo, A.M. 2012. NsdC and NsdD affect Aspergillus flavus morphogenesis and aflatoxin production. Eukaryotic Cell. 11(9):1104-1111.