Our Research
From protein structure to bacterial infection: revealing the molecular basis of virulence.
Our research group focuses on understanding protein structure and function, enzyme mechanisms, and bacterial physiology. We apply these fundamental principles to explore how bacteria establish infection and evade host defences, with a particular emphasis on the opportunistic pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii.
By dissecting the molecular mechanisms that underpin bacterial virulence, we aim to uncover how key enzymes and structural proteins contribute to pathogenesis and survival. Ultimately, our goal is to translate mechanistic insight into strategies for disrupting these processes and tackle the major threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Our group adopts a multidisciplinary approach combining structural biology (principally X-ray crystallography), biochemistry, and microbiology. We also draw upon close collaborations with experts in infection biology, medicinal chemistry, and multi-omics technologies, to broaden the scope and impact of our research, bridging fundamental discovery with application.
Current Investigations
We are currently focussing on several key virulence-associated enzymes from Acinetobacter baumannii, that contribute to cell invasion, nutrient acquisition and biofilm formation. These include secreted phospholipases, protease and essential metal acquisition machinery.
We are using an integrated structural biology, biochemistry, and microbiology approach to:
- Determine the structures and catalytic mechanisms of virulence-associated enzymes.
- Elucidate functional roles using clinically relevant hypervirulent strains across diverse infection models.
- Identify and develop inhibitors to demonstrate proof-of-principle for anti-virulence strategies.
Why We're Doing This
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest global health challenges, causing over a million deaths each year. As traditional antibiotics lose effectiveness, the development of new drugs has not kept pace, creating an urgent need for alternative strategies.
Our research focuses on the multidrug-resistant pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, a major cause of life-threatening hospital-acquired infections. Classified by the WHO as a “critical priority” pathogen, A. baumannii represents a pressing public health threat.
To address this, we are investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms of bacterial virulence and pathogenesis. By understanding how key proteins and enzymes drive infection, we aim to identify new approaches that target virulence rather than bacterial survival. Such strategies have the potential to disarm the pathogen, reduce disease severity, and limit the emergence of resistance, while preserving the beneficial microbiota.