Microbial Sciences
Microbial sciences research in Leicester is carried out by a team of clinical and non-clinical academics from both University and NHS backgrounds engaged in internationally competitive research.
Major areas of research
- Infectious diseases: Tuberculosis, pneumonia, meningitis, seasonal and pandemic influenza, gastrointestinal infections
- Vaccine and drug development
- Bacteriophages: exploitation to combat antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens and investigations into the environmental impact of 'photosynthetic' phages
- Innate immunity
- Non-tuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]: physiology, respiration and stress response
Microbial Sciences theme membership
Professor Mike Barer
Interface between bacterial physiology and human infections, principally those involving the gastrointestinal tract and tuberculosis.
Find out more about Professor Mike Barer
Dr Primrose Freestone
Studies into 'Microbial Endocrinology', relationship between stress and stress hormones and the progress of human and animal infection.
Find out more about Dr Primrose Freestone
Dr Galina Mukamolova
Molecular mechanisms of bacterial dormancy and resuscitation.
Find out more about Dr Galina Mukamolova
Dr Helen O'Hare
Essential serine threonine protein kinases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Find out more about Dr Helen O'Hare
Dr John Pearl
Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria [NTM] physiology, respiration and how environmental conditions modulate drug resistance and susceptibility.
Find out more about Dr John Pearl
Professor Russell Wallis
Understanding the molecular changes that occur during initiation of the classical and lectin pathways of complement activation. Specific interests include characterising the interactions between components that trigger complement activation.