Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory

Head: Prof. James Paton

In spite of the availability of antibiotics for over fifty years, bacterial infectious diseases continue to kill more people than any other disease group. New pathogens are emerging; old ones are returning, but this time with resistance to multiple classes of antimicrobial drugs. Current research activities in the Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory span a broad continuum from basic research into the fundamental mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and the identification and characterization of virulence genes, to the development of improved vaccines and therapeutic strategies. Such studies are fundamental to the effective global management of these infections in the 21st century.  Current research projects are focused on pathogenesis and prevention of pneumococcal disease, and Shiga toxigenic E. coli infections (in collaboration with Dr. Adrienne Paton), as well as development of novel therapeutic agents based on receptor mimic technology (in collaboration with Dr. Adrienne Paton and Dr. Renato Morona). Details of these projects can be viewed by selecting Current Research Projects on the navigation bar on the left of this screen.

The Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory forms part of the Adelaide Node of the NHMRC Australian Bacterial Pathogenesis Program (Chief Investigators: Prof. James Paton, Dr. Adrienne Paton and Dr. Renato Morona).  The lab is funded by a NHMRC Program Grant and by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Grand Challenges in Global Health.