I am interested in molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying bacterial virulence. I focus on intracellular bacterial pathogens that multiply within host cells in unique membrane-bound organelles (pathogen-containing vacuoles) and cause important human diseases. I aim to understand the function of individual bacterial proteins (effectors) injected into host cells by specialised secretion systems of Chlamydia, Legionella and Salmonella and how this may relate to the infections caused by these bacteria. The expectation is that this basic knowledge might help to develop new strategies to combat infectious diseases.

Keywords: Bacterial infections; virulence factors; Chlamydia; Salmonella; bacterial protein secretion