My main area of interest is bacterial adhesion, focusing especially on autotransporter adhesins of Gram-negative bacteria. The long-term aim of this research is to understand three aspects of adhesion: 1) the mechanism and mechanics of the adhesion process, 2) the biogenesis of autotransporter adhesins and 3) regulation of adhesin function and gene expression. All three steps are potential sites for intervention to prevent adhesion to host tissues, and thus host colonisation and infection.