Tanel Tenson

Research:

Our research aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic action and antibiotic resistance. Of particular interest are the actions of macrolides and other antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis.

To aid in our quest to develop effective antibacterial strategies, our research also focuses on bacterial phenotypic differentiation. Bacterial differentiation is not limited to sporulation: genetically homogeneous microbial cultures usually contain cells of different phenotypes. We aim to reveal the molecular mechanisms of antibacterial action and resistance by studying the differences between growth dominant phenotypes and those that resist antibiotic treatment (persister cells). Toxin-antitoxin systems have been shown to play an important role in the transformation to persister phenotypes and thus we study their mechanisms of action.

Our third major topic of interest is the spread of antibiotic resistance. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance is not limited to clincal settings and the treatment of human infections. Antibiotics are produced by soil bacteria in the most pristine environments and are widely used in animal husbandry and in the treatment of pets. To understand the emergence and spread of antibacterial resistance we characterize and study reistance genes in samples collected from a variety of natural and controlled environments.

Publications

Team:

Associate Professors:

Niilo Kaldalu (niilo.kaldalu@ut.ee)

Denis Kainov (denis.kaynov@ut.ee)

Ülo Maiväli (ulo.maivali@ut.ee)

Research Scientists:

Toomas Mets (toomas.mets@ut.ee)

PhD students:

Ivana Kerkez

Mariliis Hinnu

Krõõt Arbo

Ismail Sarigül

Minhal Abdullah

Lab Specialists:

Jelena Kiprovskaja (jelena.kiprovskaja@ut.ee)