Steve Diggle Research Group

Georgia Institute of Technology

How do bacterial communication systems drive cooperative behaviors that promote chronic infection and treatment failure in the cystic fibrosis lung? The Diggle Lab studies quorum sensing pathways and bacteriocins to identify signals controlling biofilm formation and virulence. The group experimentally perturbs microbial interactions and social behaviors to measure effects on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Researchers model microbial group dynamics within the Center for Microbial Dynamics & Infection across systems ranging from coral reefs to cystic fibrosis lung infections. Methods combine genetic, chemical and ecological approaches to reveal targets for therapeutic interventions that reduce virulence or resistance.