Bacteria are in a constant struggle for survival, continuously adapting to their surroundings. This remarkable adaptability drives major global challenges such as the rise of antibiotic resistance, which is projected to cause up to 10 million deaths per year within the next 25 years. At the same time, bacteria must defend themselves against their natural enemies – viruses known as bacteriophages – and extract nutrients from often nutrient-poor environments.
In our research group, we study the molecular mechanisms that enable bacteria to survive under such extreme conditions. We combine approaches from microbiology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioinformatics, and structural biology to gain detailed insight into key biological processes, including:
Antibiotic tolerance, including how mutations can gradually lead to resistance.
Defence against bacteriophages, focusing on toxin–antitoxin systems and kinases.
Bacterial starvation responses, particularly enzyme complexes such as C–P lyase, which can release phosphorus from organic phosphonates.
Our aim is to uncover the structural and functional principles underlying bacterial adaptation and self-defence, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of infectious disease and the development of future therapeutic strategies.
BSc and MSc students, as well as prospective PhD students and postdocs are welcome to contact Ditlev Brodersen (see contact details above) for further information and to arrange an informal visit to the laboratory.
As a student in the group, you will have the opportunity to work with:
