Risk Group 2 Pathogen Research
The HTRL is a platform for basic research on the molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases and translational research applying basic findings to the development of products such as diagnostics and therapeutics.
Current research projects involving Risk Group 2 pathogens at the HTRL include:
Staphylococcus aureus/ MRSA
Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a commensal of the skin and nares of humans as well as an aggressive multidrug resistant bacterial pathogen known as MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staph aureus) that is the leading cause of infectious disease morbidity, mortality and hospital-associated infection in the US. The success of SA/MRSA can be attributed to the exquisite ability of these pathogens to (i) replicate in nearly any organ system in the body, resulting in a wide array of clinical manifestations and disease severity (minor to life-threatening); (ii) target both community and hospital populations of both healthy and at-risk individuals; (iii) cause recurrent infections; (iv) acquire antimicrobial resistance traits that complicate treatments. Researchers at HTRL investigate the mechanisms that allow SA/MRSA to colonize and infect human hosts so successfully with the goal of developing novel therapeutics and curbing the rise of antimicrobial resistance.
