Molecular studies on bacterial pathogens derived from closed environments, such as the International Space Station (ISS). The Gram-positive isolates (focus on Staphylococcus and Enterococcus) are studied with respect to biofilm formation, presence of resistance genes and conjugative transfer capabilities.
Novel silver and ruthenium-based antimicrobial surface coatings are tested for their mechanism of action and for applicability under microgravity conditions, on diverse medical devices and in water filter systems etc. The molecular reaction - metal stress - of the microorganisms upon contact with the coating is studied via RNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR.
