Bacterial Gene Expression and Gene Transfer

Our work is focused on global regulation of gene expression and on plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer, two processes that play a key role in the adaptation of bacteria to specific niches of their eukaryotic hosts. We work with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis, two human commensal bacteria that can become pathogenic under certain circumstances (opportunistic bacteria). Both Gram-positive bacteria can cause serious infections in individuals with a weak immune system and are a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. Moreover, they have an enormous capacity for the incorporation of new genes into their genomes, including genes that encode antibiotic resistance. Our research aims to find novel targets and strategies to attenuate the virulence of both bacteria, as an approach to treat the infections caused by strains resistant to multiple antibiotics.