Our focus is on how bacterial and viral pathogens use complex molecular machines to infect host cells. To investigate this, we use a combination of structural and cell biology techniques to help us understand the structure and function of these machines and their role in host-pathogen interactions.

Electron cryo-tomography (cryo-ET) is one of our key tools. It allows us to image cells in 3D, in their natural, hydrated state, at molecular resolution. This cutting-edge method has recently helped answer important questions about infection including: how pathogens interact with host cells, how they communicate, and how hosts adapt to infection.

In our lab, we use cryo-ET along with subtomogram averaging (STA). This advanced and computationally demanding technique allows us to study protein complexes in greater detail and advance our understanding of host-pathogen cell-cell interactions.