Microbiology and Antimicrobial Discovery
Our scientists study the biology, genetics, and ecological roles of microbes. They identify and develop new antibiotics to combat drug-resistant pathogens. This research addresses critical public health challenges by creating therapeutic strategies against infectious diseases and emerging microbial threats.
Members
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Dr. Chai is interested in understanding fundamental mechanisms controlling bacterial biofilm formation and the role of beneficial biofilms in bacteria-host interactions.
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Research in Dr. Epstein’s lab is focused on microbial discovery in the environment and human microbiome.
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The Geisinger Lab investigates the molecular basis of antibiotic resistance and disease development in infections with hospital-acquired pathogens.
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The Godoy Lab investigates the regulation of the bacterial DNA damage responses (DDR) and the mutagenic Y-family DNA polymerases that are part of the DDR.
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Researchers in the Lewis Lab study several related subjects – persister cells, microbiomes, and uncultured bacteria – enabling their work on antibiotic discovery.
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The Saavedra Lab investigates host-microbe interactions in health and disease through an immunology and cell biology lens.
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Dr. Santos aims to uncover how bacteria manufacture and install stabilizing protein entities into cell walls, which could form the basis of new antibiotics.
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The Takacs Lab studies the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, its tick vector, and their interactions through a set of genetic, imaging, and biochemical approaches.
Interested in working with us?
In the news
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Research
Patagonian ‘living rocks’ trace their origins to the beginning of life on Earth
Veronica Godoy-Carter, professor of Biology and Biochemistry, has sequenced the genome of a “living hill” or bacterial colony found in Patagonia. -
Research
This antibiotic is effective against anthrax, and has no detectable resistance, Northeastern research finds
Kim Lewis and Slava Epstein, Northeastern biology professors, developed an antibiotic over a decade ago that can now be used against anthrax. -
New Northeastern lab plumbs the mysteries of the ticks and bacteria that cause Lyme
Constantin Takacs of Northeastern loves to study black-legged deer ticks and Borrelia burgdorferi, which is good news for everybody else -
This superbug dodges antibiotics. He’s finding a way to kill it.
Edward Geisinger, assistant professor of Biology at Northeastern, studies bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii that frequently infects hospital patients, and is resistant to antibiotics.