Winstel Lab

Focus of Research

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.

Prof. Dr. Volker Winstel
Prof. Dr. Volker Winstel

Lab Members

PostDocs

Faidad Khan, Ph.D.

Project description: To overcome antimicrobial resistance in S. aureus and related Gram-positive pathogens, this scientific project focuses on high-throughput compound screening, drug repurposing, and the identification of powerful small molecule inhibitors of staphylococcal virulence determinants.

Xin Du, M.D., Ph.D. (Guest Scientist)

Project description: Xin’s research aims at exploring and optimizing staphylococcal vaccine strategies.

PhD Students

Dorothea Bünsow, M.Sc.

Project description: Powered by disease-resembling organoids, analytical platforms, and genetic engineering of MRSA, this research project seeks to discover molecular mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of staphylococcal pulmonary infections.

Rita Haller, M.Sc.

Project description: This science project aims at uncovering novel immuno-evasive maneuvers of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, an emerging zoonotic and multidrug-resistant pathogen of canine origin.

Yiyang Cai, M.Sc.

Project description: Based on unique bacteriological and biochemical approaches, this experimental project seeks to discover novel signaling events that essentially affect the lifestyle and evolution of pathogenic staphylococci in complex ecosystems.

Master Students

Elena Zukina, B.Sc.

Project description: By combining tissue culture model systems, reporter assays, and genetically modified S. aureus, this work focuses on novel aspects of staphylococcal survival strategies at the host-microbe interface.

Contact information
Professor Dr. rer. nat. Volker Winstel

Department of Medicine V, Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Infection Control
Section Translational Microbiology and Immunopathology of Infections
German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Giessen-Marburg-Langen
German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Germany


 +49 641 99 46401
(office)

 Schubertstr. 81
35392 Giessen
Germany

Featured Publications

  • Targeting host deoxycytidine kinase mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation

    21. March 2024

    Elife. Winstel V, Abt ER, Le TM, Radu CG. Targeting host deoxycytidine kinase mitigates Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation. 2024 Mar 21;12:RP91157. doi: 10.7554/eLife.91157.

    Host-directed therapy (HDT) is an emerging approach to overcome antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. Specifically, HDT targets host-encoded factors required for pathogen replication and survival without interfering […]

  • Pathogen-driven nucleotide overload triggers mitochondria-centered cell death in phagocytes

    29. December 2023

    PLoS Pathog. Schwermann N, Haller R, Koch S, Grassl GA, Winstel V. Pathogen-driven nucleotide overload triggers mitochondria-centered cell death in phagocytes. 2023 Dec 29;19(12):e1011892. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011892.

    Staphylococcus aureus is a dangerous pathogen that evolved refined immuno-evasive strategies to antagonize host immune responses. This involves the biogenesis of death-effector deoxyribonucleosides, which […]

  • Staphylococcus epidermidis clones express Staphylococcus aureus-type wall teichoic acid to shift from a commensal to pathogen lifestyle

    6. June 2021

    Nat Microbiol. Du X, Larsen J, Li M, Walter A, Slavetinsky C, Both A, Sanchez Carballo PM, Stegger M, Lehmann E, Liu Y, Liu J, Slavetinsky J, Duda KA, Krismer B, Heilbronner S, Weidenmaier C, Mayer C, Rohde H, Winstel V, Peschel A. Staphylococcus epidermidis clones express Staphylococcus aureus-type wall […]

  • Staphylococcus aureus targets the purine salvage pathway to kill phagocytes

    26. June 2018

    Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Winstel V, Missiakas D, Schneewind O. Staphylococcus aureus targets the purine salvage pathway to kill phagocytes. 2018 Jun 26;115(26):6846-6851. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1805622115.

    Staphylococcus aureus colonizes large segments of the human population and causes invasive infections due to its ability to escape phagocytic clearance. During […]

  • Genetic engineering of untransformable coagulase-negative staphylococcal pathogens

    11. May 2016

    Nat Protoc. Winstel V, Kühner P, Rohde H, Peschel A. Genetic engineering of untransformable coagulase-negative staphylococcal pathogens. 2016 May;11(5):949-59. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2016.058.

    Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are recognized as significant opportunistic pathogens. However, current knowledge of virulence mechanisms is very limited because a significant proportion of CoNS are refractory to available techniques […]

  • Wall teichoic acid structure governs horizontal gene transfer between major bacterial pathogens

    23. April 2013

    Nat Commun. Winstel V, Liang C, Sanchez-Carballo P, Steglich M, Munar M, Bröker BM, Penadés JR, Nübel U, Holst O, Dandekar T, Peschel A, Xia G. Wall teichoic acid structure governs horizontal gene transfer between major bacterial pathogens. 2013;4:2345. doi: 10.1038/ncomms3345.

    Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) encoding virulence and resistance genes […]

Funding & Cooperation Partners

Winstel Lab is always open for collaborations with partners from academia, industry, and the public sector. We are interested in translating our research findings into practice and jointly developing innovative solutions. Funding is a crucial part of our work, enabling us to conduct our research at the highest level. Therefore, we appreciate any contribution that supports us in achieving our goals. Please feel free to contact us for more information.