Current research projects on group A streptococci in the institute are

• molecular characterization of S. pyogenes surface-associated adhesins, secreted enzymes and toxins

• regulation of virulence gene expression and phase switching

• system biology approach to elucidate the S. pyogenes whole cell metabolism and its association to virulence

• bacteria-host interactions during adherence, internalization, and intracellular persistence as well as during evasion from the host cell

• characterization of the molecular biology of S. pyogenes monospecies biofilms

• interactions between S. pyogenes and other bacterial species of the human oral cavity and skin in the course of mixed species biofilm formation

• effects of life cell / killed S. pyogenes preparations as adjuvants in experimental tumor therapy

Current research projects on biofilms in the institute are

• set-up and optimization of culture conditions for mixed species biofilms with periodontal pathogens

• current optimization of culture techniques for investigating pathogens forming biofilms on implant materials

• in situ hybridization, metabolic markers and antibody techniques for the visualization of biofilm bacteria

• microscopic techniques to study the three dimensional structures of biofilms

• gene expression measurements and proteomics of biofilm-organized bacteria

• prevention / change of biofilm growth by surface modifications and treatments with antiseptics or probiotics