We are pleased to officially announce the start of our new research initiative: PLAS-FIGHTER (Exploiting plasmid-bacteria interactions to fight the evolution of antimicrobial resistance).

With PLAS-FIGHTER, we continue our research focus on one of the most pressing challenges in modern biomedicine: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our goal is ambitious—to understand how plasmids, mobile genetic elements that often carry resistance genes, interact with their bacterial hosts, and how these interactions drive the emergence and spread of superbugs.

This project proposes an innovative strategy: tackling AMR at its root by targeting the plasmids that contribute to its development. To achieve this, we will combine:

• Genetic editing tools, such as CRISPR interference (CRISPRi)
• Experimental models that simulate real-life environments, such as the gut microbiome
• Multi-omics analyses to study how bacteria and plasmids evolve and behave in different contexts

PLAS-FIGHTER represents a major opportunity to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms behind resistance while opening new avenues for more effective and sustainable ways to combat it.

We’ll be sharing updates, results, and project activities through our website and regular communication channels—stay tuned!