Research

Modulation of cutaneous innate immunity by commensal Staphylococcus species

This project focuses on tissue-specific mechanisms that control the cutaneous innate immune response and the effector functions of keratinocytes, in particular their cross-talk with commensal microorganisms. Our recent findings have shown that Staphylococcus epidermidis activates cutaneous innate immunity trough upregulation of antimicrobial molecule Perforin-2 in a cell-specific manner. Perforin-2 upregulation following S. epidermidis colonization increased the ability of skin cells to kill intracellular pathogenic S. aureus. The ongoing studies further investigate the protective role of commensal bacteria against chronic wound pathogens.

A single center, observer masked, active control, randomized trial to investigate the effectiveness of Cutimed® Sorbion® Sorbact® in modifying bacterial load in venous leg ulcers

Understanding mechanisms by which microbiome prevents cutaneous wound healing and finding strategies that modulate host inflammation are likely to provide therapeutic approaches to improve healing in patients suffering from chronic wounds. This translational project focuses on evaluation of a novel antimicrobial dressing and its mechanism of action on multi-drug resistant pathogens in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers.

Antibiofilm therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa tunnels

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a devastating chronic skin disease affecting approximately 1% of the population. Currently, there is no cure for HS. While it is generally believed that skin microbiome participates in the pathogenesis of HS, the presence and the role of biofilms in the cutaneous tunnels has not been well characterized. This project investigates the role of HS in disease severity and the effectiveness of a novel antibiofilm therapy for patients with HS.