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| Biology Division |
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Molecular Genetics |
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The
long-range interest of the laboratory is in the genetics, biochemical
and
evolutionary mechanisms and epidemiology of drug resistant
gram-positive
pathogens, specifically, Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus
pneumoniae. The emergence and spread of drug resistant clones of
these two
important pathogens pose a serious public health threat worldwide. At
the same
time the phenomenon also presents fascinating problems of basic
science, such
as the evolutionary origin of resistance genes; the mechanism of gene
expression and the question of what combination of determinants
provides the
basis for the epidemic “success” of these pathogens. Our laboratory is
actively
involved both in the public health related and also in the laboratory
aspects
of this problem. Using techniques of molecular epidemiology, our
laboratory is
engaged in extensive studies on the colonization of children by S.
pneumoniae in day care centers in the
Hermínia de Lencastre February 10 2007 |
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