Airborne transmission of pathogens: defining microbial and environmental factors affecting survival in aerosols.

Project Code

MRCIIAR25Ba Preston 

Research Theme

Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair

Project Summary Download

Summary

Numerous bacteria transmit between hosts via the air, representing a key step in the pathogen lifecycle. However, we know little about the microbial and environmental factors that impact pathogen survival during airborne transmission. This is largely because it is difficult to study them in tiny droplets (aerosols), which are an environment unlike any other. This project combines molecular microbiology, genomics and a unique aerosol survival model to study how bacteria adapt under the unique conditions found in aerosols. Elucidating these processes and how the environment affects them will aid the development of novel interventions to interrupt airborne transmission. 

Lead Supervisor

Professor Andrew Preston

Lead Supervisor Email

a.preston@bath.ac.uk

University Affiliation

Bath