Infection Biology

Infection Biology requires multidisciplinary experts that think two steps ahead

Humans and animals are exposed to a large variety of bacteria and viruses. The interplay of bacteria and viruses with their host and with each other is complex but very important in health and disease processes. In the Infection Biology group, we study microbe-host and virus-host interactions at the molecular, (sub)cellular and tissue level. In our group, we connect knowledge and research lines in the area of microbe/virus-host interactions at mucosal surfaces, bacterial/viral coinfections and the role of extracellular vesicles during healthy mucosal maintenance, inflammation and carcinogenesis.

We aim to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of bacterial/viral interactions with their hosts and host defenses. These novel insights can be used to inspire clinical applications that restore commensal interactions or prevent or cure pathogenic infection.

Bacterial Adaptation Mechanisms 
Bacteria are extremely good at adapting to their constantly changing physical and chemical environment. We investigate how they do that in and outside their host. Read more 

Mucosal Host-Microbe Interactions
The intestinal mucus layer separates trillions of commensal and pathogenic microbiota from the host epithelial lining. We investigate innate immune defense at this fascinating host-microbe interfase. Read more

Decoding Genetic Messages
Which messages are encrypted in the RNA of extracellular vesicles? And what is the role of these genetic messages in regulating (antiviral) immune responses? Could this RNA help us to understand immune-related diseases? Read more