Research
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) are a major cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide, exhibiting resistance to vancomycin, one of the last-line antibiotics used to treat serious Gram-positive infections. Their ability to acquire and disseminate antimicrobial resistance genes poses a significant threat to patient outcomes and infection control. Our research focuses on understanding the genomic and phenotypic mechanisms underlying VRE emergence, persistence, and transmission. By integrating whole genome sequencing, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and molecular analyses, we aim to identify key resistance mechanisms and inform strategies to detect, monitor, and ultimately combat the spread of VRE.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of both community- and healthcare-associated infections, characterised by resistance to β-lactam antibiotics and a remarkable ability to adapt and spread across diverse environments. Its clinical impact ranges from mild skin infections to severe invasive diseases such as bacteraemia and pneumonia. Our research focuses on unraveling the genomic diversity, evolutionary dynamics, and resistance mechanisms of MRSA populations. By combining whole genome sequencing, phenotypic assays, and molecular epidemiology, we aim to better understand transmission pathways, identify emerging high-risk clones, and develop strategies to improve surveillance, treatment, and infection control.
One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Our research also embraces a One Health perspective by investigating AMR across clinical and envirionmental settings, aiming to uncover transmission pathways and inform coordinated efforts to mitigate the spread of AMR at a population and ecosystem level.