Hanh Lam

Major Fields of Interest

• Molecular Mechanism of host-pathogen interactions
• Genomics
• Drug and Antimicrobial Discovery
   

Current Research 

Our lab studies host–microbe interactions at the cellular and molecular levels and develops novel antimicrobial strategies. Our primary model organisms are Achromobacter xylosoxidans, an emerging pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Achromobacter xylosoxidans (Ax) is a versatile bacterium found in diverse environmental niches. In clinical settings, however, Ax can rapidly acquire resistance to multiple antibiotics and persist in patients for prolonged periods. Ax colonizes approximately 10% of individuals with CF and is associated with declining lung function. Beyond CF, Ax is an important pathogen among immunocompromised populations, and a number of severe infections have also been reported in otherwise healthy individuals. Despite its clinical importance, Ax remains relatively understudied. Our research on Ax focuses on two major questions: (1) How does Ax develop multidrug resistance? and (2) How does Ax evolve within the host to establish and maintain prolonged infections? By addressing these questions, we aim to understand how this pathogen adapts to antibiotic pressure and the host environment during chronic infection to ultimately develop better treatment for chronic infection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an ESKAPE pathogen that frequently evades antimicrobial treatment and is one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections worldwide. Its Type III secretion system (T3SS) is a major virulence determinant, particularly during acute infection. Because T3SSs are important for virulence in many pathogens but are largely absent from commensal bacteria, they represent promising targets for antimicrobial development. Among the four major effectors secreted by the P. aeruginosa T3SS, ExoU is a marker of highly virulent strains and is associated with antibiotic resistance and acute epithelial injury. ExoU possesses phospholipase A2 activity and can hydrolyze membrane phospholipids. We use ExoU as a model phospholipase to identify and develop inhibitors of bacterial phospholipases, with the broader goal of developing novel anti-virulence strategies against bacterial pathogens.