Research Topics
Heterogeneity of bacterial communities
Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance acquisition
Functional analysis of nucleoid dynamics
Natural competence and Virulence
Our mission is to explore molecular mechanisms
underlying survival strategies of human pathogens such as
Staphylococcus and Listeria.
Heterogeneity of bacterial communities
Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance acquisition
Functional analysis of nucleoid dynamics
Natural competence and Virulence
We are studying evolutionary/adaptation strategies of Gram-positive pathogens. Major research interests include population heterogeneity, and the acquisition of antibiotic resistance. The main research target is the important human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus that inhabits in our nasal cavity but can cause a variety of diseases.
Staphylococcus aureus is a commensal bacterium that naturally inhabits the nasal cavity of mammals, but it is also an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a broad spectrum of infections ranging from food poisoning and superficial skin abscesses to more serious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, septicemia and toxic shock syndrome. It has acquired resistance to a wide variety of antibiotics, and methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), the most common cause of nosocomial infections, are now spreading into the community. We are studying evolutionary/adaptation strategies of S. aurus, from our original view points.
If you are interested in our lab please feel free to contact us.
E-mail: Kazuya Morikawa / morikawa.kazuya.ga*u.tsukuba.ac.jp (replace * with @)