Leicester Microbial Sciences and Infectious Diseases Centre (LeMID)
Host-microbe interactions
Understanding host-microbial interactions is key to learning about common diseases.
We are interested in the complex interactions of microbial pathogens and commensals with their hosts. In particular, a major area of investigation is the microbial factors controlling interactions of microbes with host surfaces and the development of disease.
This major aspect of Microbial Sciences research draws extensively on the strong relationship between basic science research in the Departments of Genetics and Genome Biology, Respiratory Sciences and Molecular and Cellular Biology, with the clinical expertise of the University Hospitals of Leicester in the Departments of Respiratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
Research interests cover a wide range of pathogens, host innate and adaptive immunity, and the role of the microbiota in human disease. We also have a diverse set of on-going projects investigating the adaptation of bacteria to the extreme environments found in host organisms, as well as developing methods to determine the behaviour of bacteria in their natural environments. See air pollution for more information.
The research in this area is supported by state-of the art genetics and genomics, structural biology, pre-clinical models of infection (pre-clinical research facilities), cutting edge imaging, and category 3 microbiological research facilities (Core Biotechnology Services).