Shaping the future of antibiotics
Ecoevo strategies against the antimicrobial resistance crisis
Our objectives at the PBE lab
Understanding evolutionary dynamics
Investigate how plasmids shape bacterial evolution and contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Advancing molecular and evolutionary techniques
Utilize cutting-edge tools to better understand plasmid-bacteria dynamics.
Addressing the antibiotic resistance crisis
Contribute insights to mitigate the spread of resistance in clinically relevant bacteria.
Decoding plasmid-mediated resistance
One of the main actors behind adaptation
Plasmids are small, mobile DNA elements that enable bacteria to exchange genetic material, including genes for antibiotic resistance. Their ability to transfer resistance genes horizontally between different bacterial strains is a major factor driving the global spread of antibiotic resistance. By studying these genetic vehicles, we aim to uncover how plasmids facilitate the emergence and persistence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, contributing to the ongoing health crisis.
Preventing superbugs in clinical settings
New therapies based on bacterial evolution
With over a million deaths annually linked to antibiotic resistance, tackling this crisis is urgent. By investigating the genetic and evolutionary factors that drive plasmid adaptation, we aim to understand how resistance spreads in real-world settings, such as the gut microbiota of hospitalized patients. Our research sheds light on the conditions that promote plasmid persistence, helping us develop strategies to disrupt their transmission.
Resistance at high resolution
Discover our latest research project
In PLAS-FIGHTER, we harness the power of genome-wide CRISPRi screens to explore how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) plasmids interact with bacterial genomes with an unprecedented accuracy. By systematically silencing genes across bacterial genomes, we will be able to pinpoint the molecular pathways affected by clinically relevant AMR plasmids. Our research focuses on enterobacteria, one of the most concerning groups of resistant pathogens, using real clinical strains to ease the applicability of our findings in future therapeutic strategies.
