Environmental pathogens need to adapt to a vast range of niches (ex: water, soil, hosts) and this capacity relies on the sensing of environmental signals triggering changes to switch between environmentally or host-adapted bacteria to ensure survival. Importantly, this plasticity can lead to a virulent phenotype that has the ability to modulate the host immune system and establish an infection.
In the group, we currently study host-pathogen interactions and more specifically the molecular mechanisms of virulence allowing bacteria to counteract the host immune system. We also investigate how bacteria can – with the help of host factors – upgrade their virulence status.
In our different projects , we employ in vitro cell culture systems as well as in vivo animal experimentation, coupled with different techniques of immunology, molecular and cell biology.
See our projects section.
Financial support from Vetenskapsrådet, Magnus Bergsvall Foundation, Jeanssons Stiftelser, Carl Tryggers Stiftelsen, Kungliga Fysiografiska Sällskapet i Lund, Tore Nilsson Foundation and Erik och Philip-Sörensens Stiftelse.