Combating the microbial threat

Microbial diseases continue to be responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, and many pathogens are increasingly resistant to drugs. Understanding fundamental pathogenic mechanisms provides information to develop new avenues for therapeutics and prevention. In our laboratory, we have been working to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the pathogenic effects of E. coli and Salmonella. These pathogens use sophisticated mechanisms to introduce bacterial molecules into host cells, reprogramming infected cells and neutralizing host defenses. We present an overview of the mechanisms employed by these pathogens, as well as the approaches that have been developed to counter them. We also review efforts to develop a vaccine against SARS, in the context of the emergence of new infectious diseases, including H1N1.