The focus of our research relies on basic questions underlying the adaptation and evolution of bacteria when exposed to challenging environments, such as antibiotics.
Combining molecular biology techniques with fluorescence microscopy and microfluidic technology, we investigate the mechanisms underlying the origins of resistance to sub-lethal doses of antibiotics by deciphering how biological diversity arises at various levels of organization of the cell response.
The central questions we are interested in are: How do bacteria create genetic novelty to escape selection pressure? What role morphological plasticity accounts for rapid adaptation? How do bacterial individuals coordinate their behavior in the population? Can we identify specific targets to manipulate the rate of emergence of resistant microorganisms on demand?
Our ultimate goal is to further understand the complexity of microbial life in nature and optimistically provide clues for better control of harmful bacteria activities
