Molecular studies of pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance
Molecular mechanisms leading to the acquisition of antibiotic resistance by Streptococcus pneumoniae strains.
Our overarching goal is to understand how the acquisition of resistance (both encoded in the chromosome and carried in transposons) occur in the upper airways.
We are also interested in finding specific host-pathogen interaction(s), and host-derived molecules, activating acquisition of resistance in pneumococci.
Our overarching goal is to understand how the acquisition of resistance (both encoded in the chromosome and carried in transposons) occur in the upper airways.
We are also interested in finding specific host-pathogen interaction(s), and host-derived molecules, activating acquisition of resistance in pneumococci.
Molecular pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Pneumococcus colonizes the nasopharynx and then migrates down the lung to cause pneumococcal disease that kills millions every year.
We investigate:
A. Regulatory mechanism(s) controlling colonization of human airways.
B. Virulence mechanism(s) allowing the pneumococcus to colonize and invade the lungs
Pneumococcus colonizes the nasopharynx and then migrates down the lung to cause pneumococcal disease that kills millions every year.
We investigate:
A. Regulatory mechanism(s) controlling colonization of human airways.
B. Virulence mechanism(s) allowing the pneumococcus to colonize and invade the lungs
Antimicrobial agents to reduce and/or eradicate colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae
- We are currently finalizing Phase I studies with a positive outcome. This particular research program utilizes in-vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo models of pneumococcal colonization and pneumococcal disease to assess the efficacy of selected molecules.
- A. In-vitro and ex-vivo assays to assess the efficacy against ATCC and CDC strains
- B. Mouse models of colonization and disease infected with reference pneumococcal strains.
- A. In-vitro and ex-vivo assays to assess the efficacy against ATCC and CDC strains