Antimicrobial resistance is an ever increasing health care concern in which early detection and susceptibility of a pathogen could dictate the proper course of treatment and outcome of infection. Our group focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in antimicrobial resistance in addition to developing novel molecular diagnostic tests to identify susceptibility in bacterial and fungal pathogens. Currently, our research interests involve two main projects. First, we are investigating the mechanisms involved in penicillin tolerance in a gram-positive bacterium, Group B Streptococcus. This opportunistic pathogen is a leading cause of life-threatening infections in neonates and recently has presented itself as an emerging pathogen in the elderly. The second project involves investigating the mechanisms of azole resistance amongst Candida species, in particular Candida glabrata. Candida infections, especially C. albicans and C. glabrata, are the leading cause of fungal infections that can affect both healthy (yeast infections in women) and immune compromised (patients with HIV/AID or undergoing chemotherapeutic or immune suppressive therapy) individuals. Investigating these mechanisms in both bacteria and fungi can lead to improved diagnostics and potential targets for new antimicrobial compounds. |