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Our interests lie in the interaction between bacterial pathogens and their hosts at the mucosal interface. We study key virulence determinants of bacterial pathogens and the host factors that influence outcome of disease, particularly within the immune system. Using both animal models and human systems, we aim to develop better drugs and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of infection.

OVERVIEW

Growing resistance to antibiotics poses a grave threat to human health and developing novel strategies to combat bacterial infections is one of this century鈥檚 most important scientific challenges. Microbiology at the Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation is focused on a molecular understanding bacterial pathogenesis and utilising this to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Individual research projects may cover a range of human pathogens that cause community and hospital acquired infections in addition to economically important animal pathogens. The bacterial species studied include S. aureus, E. coli, S. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, C. difficile, C. jejuni, S. enteric and P. multocida.

Basic science, preclinical and clinical areas are available for study, with individual research projects tailored around the expertise of principal investigators within the institute. A range of technical approaches are covered including molecular biology, genetics, genomics, proteomics, immunology, structural biology, biophysics and in vitro and in vivo models of disease. Specific areas of interest include:

• molecular basis of virulence in Staphylococcus aureus and C. difficile
• bacterial manipulation of apoptosis
• bacteriophage and pathogenicity island genetics
• development of therapeutic anti-virulence strategies
• pneumonia and cystic fibrosis
• interactions of bacteria with the host immune system
• genomic approaches to understanding pathogen evolution
• novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of C. difficile infection
• mechanisms of Campylobacter jejuni pathogenesis
• development of therapeutic species specific antibiotics.