Phage biology and biocontrol

Welcome!

Our research group studies the biology and applications of bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria. Because of their natural ability to kill bacteria, there is renewed interest in using whole phages and/or phage enzymes and proteins to control pathogenic bacteria. However, effective use of phages requires knowledge of the basic biology of how phages interact with their host cells. In our lab we use a combination of genomic and genetic approaches to study phages infecting pathogenic bacteria, in particular Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli.

Research Themes

Phages are viruses that infect bacteria.  Like all viruses, they do not have their own metabolism and require the energy and cellular machinery provided by a host cell to replicate.  Phages are very host specific, often only infecting particular strains within a species, a reflection of the diversity of bacteria and the necessity for the phages to adapt to successfully infect them. Currently, our group is exploring the following research themes:

• Campylobacter adaption and phage interaction

   

   

   

• Phage hunting

   

   

   

   

• Phage-bacterial interactions

   

   

   

   

• Phage therapy and biocontrol

   

   

   

   

Students! Looking for a research project?

We are always interested in recruiting talented and motivated students from all Universities within the area of veterinary medicine, biology, biology-biotechnology, bioinformatics, food science and others for Bachelor and Master projects.

We can design a project for you - contact us for more information.