research

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IMIB research

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Understanding antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine, and Staphylococcus aureus, a major bacterial pathogen, is at the forefront of this battle. S. aureus is one of the leading causes of both community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections, ranging from mild skin infections to life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia, sepsis, and endocarditis. A critical aspect of S. aureus pathogenesis is its ability to survive and replicate both extracellularly and intracellularly, allowing it to evade the host immune response and establish persistent infections. Our research focuses on different aspects of this dynamic interplay.

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If any of these topics interest you reach out!

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Unraveling S. aureus lifestyle switch: Our research aims to elucidate the mechanisms that allow S. aureus to transition between its extracellular and intracellular lifestyles.

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How does S. aureus (I) interact and (II) divide within host cells while (III) avoiding recognition and clearing?

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S. aureus intracellular immune evasion: We are investigating the bacterial factors that are recognized by host cells during intracellular infection and the strategies employed by S. aureus to avoid detection.

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How does S. aureus avoid intracellular detection?

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Host factors in S. aureus recognition: Our goal is to identify and characterize the host factors responsible for detecting intracellular S. aureus.

How is the complex bacterial cell surface of S. aureus important for intracellular infection?

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Organ-on-chip models for infection: We are developing advanced in vitro models that better recapitulate the characteristics of human tissues, such as organ-on-chip systems, taking into account factors like tissue architecture, fluid flow, and the presence of multiple cell types.

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How do the complex network of interactions in a tissue influence bacterial infection?

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Advanced microscopy techniques for infection dynamics: We are using and developing state-of-the-art microscopy-based solutions to gain a deeper understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of S. aureus intracellular infection.

We aim to understand the structural determinants in this bacterial-host interaction using and developing advanced microscopy approaches, one example is Expansion Microscopy!

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Impact of antibiotics on S. aureus intracellular infection: We are exploring how antibiotics influence the intracellular lifestyle of S. aureus.

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S. aureus-induced host cell reprogramming: How does intracellular S. aureus manipulate host cell pathways to create a favorable environment for its survival and replication?

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How is bacterial cell division inside host cells affected by antibiotics?

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Translational applications of S. aureus research: Ultimately, our goal is to translate our findings into clinical applications. By identifying key bacterial and host factors involved in intracellular infection, we aim to develop new diagnostic tools, therapeutic targets, and antibacterial strategies.