Prothiwa research group
Uncovering the Hidden Interactions Between Bacteria and Our Immune System
Welcome to Our Research
In the invisible world of your body, a dynamic battle unfolds daily. Harmful bacteria use clever tactics to outmaneuver immune cells, while beneficial bacteria play their part in keeping the peace. Understanding this hidden interplay is at the heart of our research.
We use synthetic organic chemistry to design and produce innovative chemical tools. We then apply these tools to:
- Uncover how harmful bacteria evade the immune system
- Decode the molecular “conversations” between bacteria and immune cells
- Develop precise diagnostics and treatments that support health without harming beneficial microbes
Why It Matters
Combating Antibiotic Resistance
- The overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains.
- By targeting specific bacterial mechanisms, we can develop therapies that are less likely to contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Preserving Beneficial Microbes
- Beneficial bacteria play a crucial role in maintaining health, including aiding digestion and supporting the immune system.
- Targeted treatments help eliminate harmful bacteria while preserving these essential microbial communities.
Our Approach
Bacteria produce numerous proteases as virulence factors. We develop and apply different chemical tools, such as activity-based probes (ABPs) or substrate probes, to study bacterial proteases and explore their potential as therapeutic target.
We are interested in molecular interactions during immune evasion and persistence. Specifically, we aim to uncover yet unknown pathogenic mechanisms by applying a combination of activity-based protein profiling, proteomics and natural product research.
Our findings inspire the creation of rapid diagnostic tests and targeted therapies that disarm bacteria without promoting antibiotic resistance.
Job Opportunities
Projects will be at the interface of chemistry and biology and thus will be flexible to your expertise and interests. Applicants with expertise in organic synthesis and chemical biology will be particularly competitive.
Graduate Students:
Currently no open PhD position available.
Postdoctoral Scholars:
Currently no PostDoc positions available
Projects for the application for fellowships (e.g. FWO or MSCA-PF) available. I am happy to help postdocs obtain fellowships.
Undergraduate Students:
Many projects for bachelor and master theses available.