Department of Microbial Sciences

Our expertise

In the Department, we study host-pathogen interactions in a range of bacteria and viruses, including:

• Mycobacteria
• Enteric pathogens
• Neisseria
• Herpesviruses
• Human norovirus
• Dengue virus

We use systems biology and bioinformatic approaches to look at gene expression, signalling and metabolic networks involved in these host-pathogen relationships, using computational biology to develop in silico models that can be applied to these biological systems.  

We also use microorganisms to further our understanding of basic cellular mechanisms such as protein translation and the role of RNA binding proteins.

In the area of synthetic biology, we are developing methods to exploit microorganisms for the production of compounds of medical and industrial interest.

Our ultimate goals are not only to develop novel treatments for important human diseases, but also to establish beneficial applications of microbes for biotechnology.