BASP: Bacterial stress response and persistence

As part of the National Science Foundation project, BASP, we study bacterial response to environmental stress and the ability of bacteria to reprogram their metabolism from rapid to slow growth, a global physiological resetting allowing them to withstand extreme challenges.

One such challenge is high concentrations of antibiotics where bacteria can enter a state of persistence tolerating otherwise deadly assaults. We examine the ability of Staphylococcus aureus to form these persister cells and the mechanisms behind as well as the general role of dormancy in allowing this pathogen to tolerate antibiotics. The project is in collaboration with partners at University of Copenhagen and Århus University.

Persister cells