Understanding the molecular basis of bacterial survival

All bacteria use sophisticated molecular mechanisms to survive periods of stress, such as nutrient deprivation and exposure to antibiotics. Unfortunately, widespread use of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture has selected for the evolution of multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens. According to The World Health Organization, the world is still failing to develop antibacterial treatments, and consequently, detailed knowledge of bacterial survival and defence mechanisms is urgently needed. In this project, we aim to understand fundamental, molecular mechanisms in microbes that allow them to survive and avoid antibiotics. These results will be important for developing novel antibacterial drugs in the future.