Research areas
Bacterial infections and the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are a significant global threat already involved in almost 5 million deaths annually. Many bacterial pathogens harbour multiple mobile genetic elements (MGEs), which play a crucial role in their ability to cause disease. Many MGEs are known to interact with each other yet how more complex MGE interactions affect a pathogen’s success has not yet been determined. My research group tackles this challenge by investigating how interactions between MGEs in bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, influence their evolution, virulence, and ability to resist antibiotics, ultimately driving their success.
Our mission is to understand how MGEs collaborate and compete to shape bacterial pathogens, ultimately aiming to develop new strategies to combat infections.
We achieve this mission by:
- Characterising the molecular mechanisms underlying key MGE interactions.
- Defining the impact of MGE interactions on bacterial evolution and antibiotic resistance.
- Investigating how MGE interactions influence bacterial virulence and pathogenicity.
- Utilising our findings to develop novel treatment strategies against bacterial infections.
PhD supervision
- Jianbin Zhao
Selected publications
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Open access
In vivo gene expression profiling of Staphylococcus aureus during infection informs design of stemless leukocidins LukE and -D as detoxified vaccine candidates
Haag, A., Liljeroos, L., Donato, P., Pozzi, C., Brignoli, T., Bottomley, M. J., Bagnoli, F. & Delany, I., 1 Feb 2023, In: Microbiology Spectrum. 11, 1, 19 p., e02574-22.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Quorum-sensing agr system of Staphylococcus aureus primes gene expression for protection from lethal oxidative stress
Shopsin, B., Podkowik, M., Perault, A. I., Putzel, G., Pountain, A., Kim, J., DuMont, A., Zwack, E., Ulrich, R. J., Karagounis, T. K., Zhou, C., Haag, A. F., Shenderovich, J., Wasserman, G. A., Kwon, J., Chen, J., Richardson, A. R., Weiser, J. N., Nowosad, C. R. & Lun, D. S. & 6 others, , 8 Jun 2023, bioRxiv, (biorxiv).Research output: Working paper › Preprint
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Quorum-sensing agr system of Staphylococcus aureus primes gene expression for protection from lethal oxidative stress
Podkowik, M., Perault, A. I., Putzel, G., Pountain, A., Kim, J., Dumont, A., Zwack, E., Ulrich, R. J., Karagounis, T. K., Zhou, C., Haag, A. F., Shenderovich, J., Wasserman, G. A., Kwon, J., Chen, J., Richardson, A. R., Weiser, J. N., Nowosad, C. R., Lun, D. S. & Parker, D. & 6 others, , 26 Jul 2023, eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd.Research output: Other contribution
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S. aureus antigens and compositions thereof
Bagnoli, F., Haag, A. & Liljeroos, L., 1 Feb 2023, Google Patents.Research output: Other contribution
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Open access
The ClpX protease is essential for inactivating the CI master repressor and completing prophage induction in Staphylococcus aureus
Thabet, M. A., Penades, J. R. & Haag, A., 18 Oct 2023, In: Nature Communications. 14, 16 p., 6599.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Multilayer regulation of Neisseria meningitidis NHBA at physiologically relevant temperatures
Borghi, S., Antunes, A., Haag, A. F., Spinsanti, M., Brignoli, T., Ndoni, E., Scarlato, V. & Delany, I., 18 Apr 2022, In: Microorganisms. 10, 4, 16 p., 834.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Open access
Phage-inducible chromosomal islands promote genetic variability by blocking phage reproduction and protecting transductants from phage lysis
Ibarra-Chávez, R., Brady, A., Chen, J., Penadés, J. R. & Haag, A. F., 28 Mar 2022, In: PLoS Genetics. 18, 3, 18 p., e1010146.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Regulatory cascade in SaPI activation
Haag, A., Podkowik, M., Ibarra-Chávez, R., del Sol, F. G., Ram, G., Chen, J., Marina, A., Novick, R. & Penadés, J., 27 May 2022. 1 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
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Staphylococcus
Pickering, A. C., Haag, A. F., Penades, J. R. & Fitzgerald, J. R., 1 Dec 2022, Pathogenesis of bacterial infections in animals. Prescott, J. F., Rycroft, A. N., Boyce, J. D., MacInnes, J. I., Van Immerseel, F. & Vázquez-Boland, J. A. (eds.). 5th ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, p. 543-564 22 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Systematic Reconstruction of the Complete Two-Component Sensorial Network in Staphylococcus aureus
Haag, A., Rapun-Araiz, B., Cesare, V. D., Dorado-Morales, P., Penadés, J. & Lasa, I., 27 May 2022. 1 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster