Priority Research Area Infections

Evolution of the Resistome

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Prof. Dr. Matthias Merker

04537 / 188-7570

04537 / 188-3110

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Mission

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health crisis. The human microbiome and all associated resistance genes ("the resistome") are under constant evolutionary pressure. Disease, treatment, microbiome cross-talk, and the host immune system can change the composition of host microbes ("dysbiosis") or select for antimicrobial resistances. We employ laboratory evolution experiments and microbial genomics, such as whole (meta)genome sequencing, to understand bacterial evolutionary pathways that influence disease progression or treatment outcomes. In the long run, we seek to identify improved therapies which reduce or prevent pathogen adaptation, e.g. resistance evolution, and preserve a healthy microbiome.