Division of Bacteriology

My research aims to define the genetic determinants that contribute to the spread of important zoonotic diseases such as those caused by enterohaemorrhagic E. coli and Salmonella.  Current work is applying machine learning and phylogenomics to predict the source and disease threat of isolates. The other main focus of our research is to understand the expression of bacterial colonisation factors and apply this knowledge to develop vaccines to limit bacterial zoonotic diseases. 

The overall interest of the Lynskey Lab is the study of virulence factor regulation and innate immune modulation by pathogenic streptococci. Our work is currently focused on two important pathogens, Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus), the causative agent of economically important infections in multiple animal hosts which has also emerged as a major human pathogen, and the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus). We seek to identify regulatory genes that enable the bacteria to switch from a benign to invasive disease state and characterise their mechanism of action and impact on host immune defences. We are also interested to use this information to better   understand and characterise the factors driving host-species adaptation of S. agalactiae, which causes significant disease in humans, cattle and fish.

Studies intracellular bacterial pathogens, with specific interest in the bacterial genes required for intracellular survival and evasion of innate immune responses.

Salmonella, Campylobacter and Escherichia coli infections in farm animals, with emphasis on the bacterial and host factors that influence persistence, pathogenesis and protection.