Understanding the role of bacterial adhesion during Staphylococcus aureus skin colonisation in atopic dermatitis

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Atopic dermatitis (AD, also commonly called eczema), is the most common chronic skin disorder in children. The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus sticks to dead flattened cells on the surface of skin known as corneocytes, increasing inflammation and worsening AD symptoms. Our research aims to uncover the complete set of bacterial proteins that support the attachment of S. aureus to corneocytes and to identify the host factors they interact with. This project also aims to provide an understanding of how other related bacteria that exist on the skin as commensals (coagulase negative staphylococci) regulate the adherence of S. aureus to the skin. The knowledge gained from this project will open up the possibility of targeting S. aureus-corneocyte interactions as a strategy to specifically interfere with S. aureus adhesion and prevent or eliminate colonisation in AD patients.