Barbara Sixt

How human cells defend themselves against microbial invaders

✓ På plats

✓ Online

✓ Gymnasiet

✓ Arbetsplats/
organisation

✓ Engelska

✓ Tyska

✓ Infection biology

My research group at Umeå University studies the interplay between bacterial pathogens and the cells of our body. Specifically, we are interested in intracellular bacteria; that means bacteria that can invade our cells and grow within.

Our cells have sophisticated defense mechanisms that can fight such pathogens. However, intracellular bacteria have often learned to overcome them. The goal of our research is to better understand how the defenses of our cells work and how bacteria can counteract them, because this may inspire new therapeutic approaches.

Currently, our work focusses on one specific intracellular pathogen, called Chlamydia trachomatis. This bacterium causes eye infections and sexually transmitted diseases. I could talk about this specific pathogen or give a more general overview of our cells’ defenses and the countermeasures used by pathogens. The content can be adapted to the audience.