Chronic UTI Group
Urinary Tract infection (UTI) is the most common infectious disease in women and in the elderly, and the number one reason why general practitioners will write an antibiotic prescription. As such, it wreaks an enormous economic and healthcare burden. The Chronic UTI group focuses primarily on the microbial diversity and host/pathogen interactions of recalcitrant and recurrent urinary tract infection in patients. We have a particular interest in how chronic/recurrent UTI differs from uncomplicated acute UTI. To facilitate this research, we have been designing innovative human organoid models to study the biology of infection and to use as a test-bed for assessing new treatments. Using these models, we are investigating how protected bacterial reservoirs might facilitate recurrence and antibiotic resistance. Our research encompasses microbiology, molecular cell biology, immunology, tissue engineering, metagenomics, high-resolution imaging and biofilm biology. We work closely with clinicians to study the causative bacteria in patient populations, including renal transplant recipients and the chronically infected elderly. We also collaborate with engineers to develop novel therapeutics and diagnostic tools with an emphasis on circumventing antibiotic resistance.