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Research group for Infection and Microbiology

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Research group for infection and microbiology

 

Picture of the Research Group for Infection and Microbiology from IBA UiB, Solstrand, 2023.

 

 

 

The research group for Infection and Microbiology is led by Professor Rebecca Cox.

The group consists of over 40 team members including laboratory specialists in medical and oral microbiology and immunology, and medical specialists in clinical infectious diseases and hospital infection control. The group consists of not only of academics at different career levels (professors, assoc. professors, researchers, postdocs, PhD and master students), but also technical and administrative staff including technicians and study nurses.

The group’s vision is to be an international leader to reduce the burden of illness and death from viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases through improved understanding of disease, treatment, vaccines and implementation of new health control measures.

              

We are focusing on:

- Outbreak and pandemic research to understand pathogenicity, immunity and control  of emerging pathogens;

- Influenza;

- Streptococcal disease to understand the diseases and pathogenesis;

- Infection control in hospitals, strategies for improved control and reduction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR);

- AMR research;

- Vaccine research:

a) Human challenge models to understand the role of the immunity and test novel drugs and vaccines,

b) Developing and testing new human vaccines under good clinical practice (GCP),

c) Educating next generation of students and scientists;

- Gaining knowledge of tropical infectious diseases.

 

We are a member of the national research school in infection biology and antimicrobials (IBA) funded by the Research Council of Norway, and Groups members are partners in several national and international consortia which are funded by the EU, JPI AMR, Nordisk Råd, the Research Council of Norway, the Western Norway Health Authority and Trond Mohn Foundation.

The research group is divided into subgroups presented below (for more information you can visit the dedicated webpages):

 

The Bergen COVID-19 Research Group is a multidisciplinary team of dedicated scientists focusing on basic and clinical COVID-19 research. Five institutions have joined competencies to build this interdisciplinary project that includes the University of Bergen (UiB), Haukeland University Hospital (HUS), Bergen Kommune, Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital (HDS), and Stavanger University Hospital (SUS).

Leaders of the subgroup: Professors Rebecca Cox and Nina Langeland

 

The Influenza Centre – focusing on prevention and control of influenza to reduce the global burden of disease. We develop and evaluate next generation influenza vaccines (both preclinical studies and human clinical trials), and study the immune response after influenza vaccination and infection.

Head of The Influenza Centre: Professor Rebecca Cox

 

The Infection Control and Antibiotic Stewardship group – looking into the incidence and risks of developing and spread of health service associated infections and antimicrobial resistance. Currently we are focusing on implementation science on preventive measures such as guidelines and checklists.

Leader of the subgroup: Professor Stig Harthug

 

The Streptococcal Interest Group (SIG) – gathers expertise in infections caused primarily by Streptococcus pyogenes and S. dysgalactiae, as well as a range of non-purulent skin and soft tissue infections. We study epidemiology, characterize disease, microbial aspects and explore effects of established and novel treatment modalities in cellulitis and lethal necrotizing soft tissue infections.

Leader of the subgroup: Professor Steinar Skrede

 

The Research group for Tropical Infectious Diseases - conducting studies on malaria, schistosoma, leishmania and enteric parasites. An equally important focus is research on sepsis and antimicrobial resistance. Methods include cohort studies, case control studies and randomized clinical trials.

Leader of the subgroup: Professor Nina Langeland

 

Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance in Western Norway – CAMRIA (Combatting Anti-Microbial Resistance with Interdisciplinary Approaches) - addressing the urgent need to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The centre exploits a unique set of interdisciplinary approaches, harnessing world-leading expertise in clinical microbiology, microbial genomics, bioinformatics, mathematics, social sciences and clinical medicine.

Leader of CAMRIA: Professor Nina Langeland