Pathogen Variation and Genomics

Our group studies the genome biology and molecular biology of clinically- and ecologically-important bacterial pathogens. We focus on high-risk human pathogens, including Vibrio species, hypervirulent and multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and other Gram-negative organisms. Common to all of this work is a need to understand how genes and DNA are exchanged between these pathogens through horizontal gene transfer. We use a combination of experimental and computational approaches, to understand molecular mechanisms in the lab, and then to see how these vary across the large volumes of bacterial genome sequences available in public databases.

The genus Vibrio is of particular interest to our group, which includes several human pathogens, such as Vibrio cholerae (causing cholera), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (severe gastroenteritis), Vibrio vulnificus (necrotising fasciitis, fulminating sepsis). It also includes pathogens of corals and fish (e.g., V. coralliiyticus, V. anguillarum), as well as non-pathogenic species (e.g., the biotechnology chassis organism V. natriegens). We study the epidemiology and pathogenesis of disease caused by these bacteria, as well as their ecologies, with an interest in the role played by chitin in the evolution of these bacteria. Other areas of focus include the population structures and regulation of virulence phenotypes in Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and multidrug-resistant species such as carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

An important part of our work is making pathogen genomic data useful, whether to public health decision-makers, to students, or to the general public. To that end, we contribute collaboratively to advanced training courses, teaching trainees how to produce, analyse, and interpret genome data. We are interested in the clinical and public health applications of pathogen genomics, and we partner with those working in such roles to design and develop useful reporting tools for their settings. We are also keen to explain our work to the public and non-specialists.

Key Themes and Interests

Genomics and population structures of clinically- and environmentally-relevant bacterial pathogens
Vibrio biology and genomics
Population-level variation in virulence phenotypes and their regulation across diverse bacterial populations
Applications for pathogen genomics in clinical and public health settings
Mechanisms controlling and influencing horizontal gene transfer
High-throughput sequencing-based functional genomics, including transposon insertion screens, ChIP-seq, and RNA-seq
Extrapolating molecular knowledge from well-characterised reference strains of bacteria to wider, diverse populations
Training and education in genomics and pathogen epidemiology
Building lasting, sustainable capacity in genomics and surveillance overseas and in low/middle-income countries (LMICs)

Interested in working with us?

We are always interested in recruiting talented people to the lab, and in supporting applications for personal PhD and postdoctoral fellowships. For further information please contact us directly (dormanmj@tcd.ie)

Useful Links

Google Scholar link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=P_E7LXAAAAAJ&hl=en

List of publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57191330782