(i) The indigenous microbiota of humans consists of a large number of extremely complex microbial communities which occupy those body sites exposed to the external environment. I am interested in the interactions that occur both between these communities and their mammalian host as well as between the bacteria comprising such communities.
(ii) One of the greatest problems facing modern medicine is the growing resistance of microbes to antibiotics. I am interested in monitoring the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms and the genetic basis for their resistance. I am also developing new antimicrobial strategies (e.g. light-activated antimicrobial agents) to supplement our dwindling supply of agents that can be used to treat infectious diseases.
(iii) Many bacteria in their natural environment exist as surface-associated communities known as biofilms. When in this state they exhibit properties very different from those displayed when they are grown in an aqueous suspension - the usual way in which bacteria are studied in the laboratory. Biofilms are responsible for a large variety of diseases including medical device-associated infections, infective endocarditis, caries, periodontitis etc. I am interested in the structure and physiology of bacteria in biofilms and in the development of strategies for preventing biofilm-associated diseases.