Research project Interaction of pathogens with the normal flora and innate defences

The first step in the process of establishing mucosal infection is adherence of the bacteria to target cells. The normal microbiota prevents colonization of pathogenic bacteria and represents an important first line of defence. Bacteria of the normal microbiota can affect pathogens by acting directly on the pathogen or by affecting the host cells making them less susceptible to pathogen colonization. We are currently elucidating the mechanisms of the Lactobacillus-mediated prevention of bacterial colonization.

In mammals, antibacterial peptides (AMPs) represent an important first line defence against invading pathogens. We are currently characterizing how pathogenic bacteria respond to AMPs. The long-term goal is to identify ways to make bacteria more sensitive to AMPs, or to increase AMP expression in host cells, thus generating novel ways to fight bacterial infections. Detailed understanding of the effector molecules in innate immunity and their induction might in the future lead to alternative treatments, which is of importance as antibiotic resistant bacterial strains are evolving with enormous costs for health care.