Research in the area of Infections and Antibiotics is performed by several research groups at Linköping University (LiU), mainly at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine in frequent collaboration with the University Hospital in Linköping.

A strong research area at LiU is gastrointestinal infections and inflammation, from basic molecular and cellular studies to clinical investigations, and translational medicine. One of the strategic research areas jointly supported by the Faculty of Health Sciences and the University Hospital is MIIC (Mucosal Infection and Inflammation Center: formerly DDRC), which is focusing on projects twinning basic and clinical research. MIIC researchers are studying the role of microorganisms and probiotics interventions in inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, the role of microbiota in allergy and food intolerances (celiac disease), the role of the gut-brain axis in viral infections (rotavirus, calicivirus) and bacterial Quorum Sensing communication sensed by epithelial and inflammatory cells, modelling bacterial biofilm effects in infections.

With respects to virology and vaccinology, scientists are working with gastroenteric viruses with studies on infection genetics, pathogenesis and treatment strategies. Influenza vaccines and adjuvants as well as HIV infection strategies, vaccine development and immunology are also key areas. Research is also being performed in the field of environmental virology with focus on developing and applying detection methods for viruses in air and water.

Another key research area at LiU is tuberculosis, where scientists are performing basic and applied research including field studies of mechanisms and treatments. Field studies are mostly performed in rural settings in Africa, where coinfections with helminths and HIV appear together with tuberculosis.

At LiU, researchers also perform studies of antibiotic resistance both in the clinical setting as well as in the water environment, aiming at reducing the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria in humans and in the environment. In the clinical setting, experimental and cohort studies are performed regarding antibiotic resistance development in different populations and in hospitals.

The epidemiology and ecology of Tick- and vector-borne diseases such as Borrelia, Anaplasma and TBE is another major research area, investigating the interaction between tick, pathogen and man, and determining risk factors for developing disease after being bitten. A related research area is infections and neurology where researchers are trying to understand the molecular and neurological mechanisms behind sickness behaviour of infection.

Scientists involved in the above mentioned projects are listed in connection with the homepages listed below.

Infection and Inflammation
https://liu.se/en/research-area/infection-and-inflammation

Medical Infection and Inflammation Center (formerly DDRC)
https://liu.se/en/research/miic