Image: Lumination, Mostphotos
Image: Lumination, Mostphotos
At Umeå University, we are studying different aspects of bacterial physiology and their interactions with their surroundings such as hosts. We use pathogenic bacteria causing infections at different locations in the human body but also non-pathogenic bacteria to understand fundamental aspects of the bacterial life.
With different State-of-the-art techniques such as electron microscopy, we are able to visualize the innermost of the bacteria and even macromolecular structures. Using genetic techniques, for instance CRISPR-Cas9, genes and genetic elements playing a role during bacterial growth and infection can be identified in both the host and the bacteria.
Through a strong cross-disciplinary network involving bacteriologists and chemists, new antibacterial substances are being identified that can impair bacterial pathogenicity.
Barbara Sixt wants to know how human cells can fight pathogenic bacteria.