Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Volker Winstel

Hospital- and community-acquired infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria represent a global public health threat. Our research group focuses on the pathogenesis of medically important bacterial pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). S. aureus causes skin and soft tissue infections with attack rates of 1-3% for the general population each year; this microbe is also a very frequent cause of invasive and life-threatening diseases, which include pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis. To address this public health threat, our team primarily studies pathophysiological mechanisms of S. aureus infections along with staphylococcal immune evasion strategies that include pathogen-driven manipulation and perturbation of host multicellular assemblies. Specifically, our lab uses microbiological, genetic, computational, and analytical approaches as well as disease-mimicking tissue culture systems and in vivo models to investigate the impact of microbial biomolecules on infectious diseases, host adaptation, and pathogen evolution in complex microenvironments. Powered by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis and advanced organoid technologies, we also explore the contribution of crucial host factors and associated single nucleotide polymorphisms toward S. aureus pathogenesis and disease severity in hospitalized and critically ill patients.

Overall, our research is designed to gain a more precise understanding of how clinically relevant staphylococci as well as other nosocomial pathogens interact with the human host during acute and persistent infections. In this manner, we not only aim at uncovering basic principles of host-microbe interaction but also seek to translate our findings into the design of novel therapeutic intervention strategies against which bacterial pathogens cannot build up resistance mechanisms. Combined with the exploitation of unique drug discovery pipelines and future opportunities to develop new S. aureus decolonization strategies, our discoveries are also conceptualized to define preventive measures and prophylactic approaches to control further ESKAPE pathogens, including drug-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii.