Personal profile

Current research

My research is focused on taking a molecular approach to answer complex questions in microbial ecology. Main fields of research include the use of bacterial whole-cell biosensors to show how bacteria perceive different compounds in their environment. Biosensors are bacteria engineered to produce a measurable gene product (light from lux genes, fluorescence form gfp or enzyme activity from the lacZ gene) in the presence or absence of certain compounds. I am involved in detecting the presence (and bioavailable concentrations) of heavy metals or genotoxic compounds but also compounds involved in bacterial communication (e.g. signaling) or inter-bacterial warfare compounds such as antibiotics. We have employed these bacterial whole-cell biosensors in complex environments such as soil and animal models.

Another field of interest is focused on bacterial resistance to antibiotics, especially the so-called multidrug efflux pumps from Gram-negative bacteria. These pumps can rid the bacterial host cell of a variety of compounds. We are investigating the change in specificity of such a pump in response to changing environmental conditions.

Finally, I find the bacterial maintenance and interchange (transfer) of plasmid DNA very interesting. We are currently working with new methods for estimating plasmid stability.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Lars Hestbjerg Hansen is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 6 Similar Profiles