| Natalia Hajdamowicz and Rebecca Hull work alongside Prof. Alison Condliffe investigating the impact of low-oxygen conditions on interactions between the human immune system and the infectious bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (also called MRSA). |  |
Staphylococcus aureus has the propensity to develop anti-microbial resistance, causing a variety of infections which are becoming increasingly challenging to treat. In the Condliffe lab we use the SCI-tive Ruskinn hypoxic workstation (see photo below) to incubate cells in low-oxygen conditions equivalent to those encountered in our blood stream.
During infections S. aureus have evolved to circumvent our immune systems and this seems especially true in low-oxygen environments. Consequently, a deeper understanding of how our immune cells interface with the bacteria in real infection environments is essential.
In the Condliffe lab:
Natalia, a 3rd year Florey Institute PhD student, is looking at the mechanisms behind this host-pathogen interaction.
Rebecca, a 1st year MRF PhD student (@MedResFdn), is looking at the evolutionary adaptations of these bacteria within this immune environment.
Exploring molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions may lead to the development of successful treatment of intracellular infections by targeting host cell functions supporting bacterial growth or augmenting bactericidal functions.
During infections S. aureus have evolved to circumvent our immune systems and this seems especially true in low-oxygen environments. Consequently, a deeper understanding of how our immune cells interface with the bacteria in real infection environments is essential.
In the Condliffe lab:
Natalia, a 3rd year Florey Institute PhD student, is looking at the mechanisms behind this host-pathogen interaction.
Rebecca, a 1st year MRF PhD student (@MedResFdn), is looking at the evolutionary adaptations of these bacteria within this immune environment.
Exploring molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions may lead to the development of successful treatment of intracellular infections by targeting host cell functions supporting bacterial growth or augmenting bactericidal functions.
Natalia (left) and Rebecca (right) growing cells in the SCI-tive Ruskinn hypoxic workstation, a low-oxygen cabinet that mimics oxygen conditions found in the human blood stream.
