My research focuses on host-pathogen interactions, with a particular emphasis on fungal pathogens and immune evasion strategies. We investigate how fungal pathogens including several species of Candida and Cryptococcus, and commensal microbes interact with the complement pathways of the innate immune system. A key area of interest is the molecular mechanisms behind opportunistic fungal infections and the sophisticated strategies used by these pathogens to establish invasive, often lethal infections.
Given the growing challenge of antimicrobial and antifungal resistance in nosocomial infections, our work explores several therapeutic avenues, including the role of commensal microbes, probiotics, and bacteriophages in combating fungal infections. We also screen new chemotherapeutic agents as potential treatments. We study how clinical fungal isolates utilize secreted and membrane proteins to evade immune responses, with a focus on microbial proteases that degrade key immune components such as complement pathway proteins, immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA), dendritic cell receptors, and surfactant proteins. In addition, we are interested in evaluating how novel therapeutics, such as nanomedicines, interact with complement components of the innate immune system, which has important implications for drug efficacy and immune-related side effects.
Our work employs advanced molecular and microbiological techniques, including PCR, molecular cloning, microbial strain engineering, site-directed mutagenesis, recombinant protein expression (in E. coli, yeast), protein purification, protein-protein interaction studies, assay development, cell culture, microbial co-culturing, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. These approaches help us uncover fundamental host-microbe interactions and develop innovative strategies to mitigate fungal infections.
Our research is highly collaborative, with national and international partnerships, including the Universities of Oxford and Leicester (UK), University Hospitals of Leicester, UAE University, and Hacettepe University, Turkey. Our laboratory welcomes potential new PhD and MRes students, as well as opportunities for academic and industrial collaborations. We are keen to work with partners who share our interest in understanding microbial pathogenesis, immune responses, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.