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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Department of Medicine

Bacterial Pathogenesis & Antibiotic Resistance Research

The bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance research program in the Northwestern Division of Infectious Diseases aims to uncover mechanisms whereby common hospital-acquired bacterial pathogens establish and maintain disease in human hosts and resist antibiotics. Combining whole-genome sequencing of clinical bacterial isolates with pioneering microbial comparative genomics techniques, molecular approaches, and animal model studies, the program is yielding a greater understanding of the variable armamentarium of healthcare-associated pathogens and their antibiotic resistance mechanisms in a variety of disease states. These states include: acute pneumonia, bloodstream infection, wound infection, chronic pneumonia in patients with cystic fibrosis, and diarrhea. The pathogens currently under investigation are: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Clostridium difficile. 

Active Investigators: Alan Hauser, MD, PhD;  Egon Ozer, MD, PhD;  Kelly Bachta, MD, PhD

Current areas of research in which Alan Hauser, MD, PhD, is the Northwestern Principal Investigator:

  • Population analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence: The major goal of this project is to use comparative genomic approaches to identify novel pathogenic mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (R01 AI118257) 
  • Successful Clinical Response in Pneumonia Therapy (SCRIPT) Systems Biology Center: The goal of this project is to investigate mechanisms by which patients experience clinical failure versus successful response in pneumonia, including antibiotic resistance. (U19 AI135964)  
  • Patient-Oriented Research on Hospital-Acquired Pathogens: The goal of this project is to facilitate the training of fellows in translational research involving hospital-acquired pathogens. (K24 AI04831)  
  • High-Risk Clones of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: The goal of this project is to characterize the mechanisms by which high-risk clones of Pseudomonas aeruginosa successfully spread and colonize and acquire antibiotic resistance. (R21 AI164254).   

Learn more about the Hauser Laboratory.

Current areas of research in which Egon Ozer, MD, PhD, is the Principal Investigator:

  • Genomic and functional characterization of antibiotic resistance determinants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: This project seeks to use comparative genomics, machine learning modeling, and genome-wide mutagenesis approaches to investigate antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in P. aeruginosa.  
  • Surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi in a Pakistan healthcare system: This proposal is designed to both immediately and substantially enhance detection, tracking and reporting of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections in Pakistan with broad potential for expansion to future pathogenic threats across the globe. (CDC NU3HCK0000007-01)  
  • Assessing the molecular epidemiology of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) isolates among children: The goal of this project is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on GAS molecular epidemiology, virulence factor carriage and antimicrobial resistance across clinical presentations in geographically diverse U.S. communities using whole-genome sequencing. (CDC 75D30122C15605)  

Learn more about the Center for Pathogen Genomics and Microbial Evolution.

Current areas of research in which Kelly Bachta, MD, PhD, is the Principal Investigator:

  • Dynamics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections: This project seeks to use next-generation sequencing technologies and animal models of infection to explore in vivo infection dynamics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (American Cancer Society, Career Development Award)  
  • Understanding molecular mechanisms of antibacterial resistance: This project leverages our extensive bacterial isolate collections to better understand the development of antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.