Research overview

Our research focuses broadly on investigating pathogen virulence mechanisms and the host response, in order to develop approaches to mitigate disease and reduce antimicrobial usage. We are interested by the issues associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across the animal-human interface, and how they pose challenges for sustainable food production, animal welfare, and public health.

How are we contributing to science?

Initial host-pathogen interactions - While it is common to investigate host-pathogen interactions at peak clinical signs, we take an alternate approach to explore pre-clinical phase. What happens prior to disease? What factors lead to disease or immunity (the Schrödinger's pig, is it sick or not sick)?

How bacteria shape the host response in their favour? What triggers are activated or inhibited?
- Not only the immune response, but also physiological responses (e.g. ion secretion, mucin production, cellular recruitment, etc...)
What role the microbiota plays in pathophysiological mechanisms?
Can we manipulate such pathophysiological mechanism to mitigate disease?
- Host perspective: we explore means to prevent disease by breaking cascade reactions that lead to clinical signs;
- Pathogen perspective: we investigate key factors employed in pathogenesis, and if those are potentially exploitable for disease mitigation.