Bacterial pathogenesis

Adhesion of E. coli O157:H7 to the surface of eatable leaves.

Bacterial infections cause a huge burden of disease throughout the world and kill millions of people and animals each year through diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and meningitis, as well as genito-urinary and blood infections. Bacterial pathogens are also responsible for many of the infections acquired in hospitals and for some ‘old’ diseases, including tuberculosis, which is now on the increase in many parts of the world. Resistance to antibiotics is now widespread among bacteria and is increasing at an alarming rate. Through our fundamental research activities, we aim to gain better understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial infection, which would aid the identification of new targets for antimicrobial compounds and vaccine candidates.

We are a diverse group of scientists interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial disease. Our activities range from fundamental bacteriology, host –pathogen interactions and the structural basis for virulence. Several of us are part of the “MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection,” a College cross-faculty initiative that uses multidisciplinary approaches and cutting edge techniques to study bacterial infections at atomic, cellular and organism levels.