Research Areas

Dr. Ramírez current research program focuses on the study and identification of mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, their dissemination and evolution, as well as their impact on the morbidity and mortality of bacterial infections.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a serious threat to human health, and the increase in infections caused by such pathogens is a growing concern worldwide. In fact, in 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that in the United States around 2 million people were infected with multidrug- resistant bacteria every year. This is the reason why different research lines related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are going on in Dr. Ramirez’ lab.

In the last years we have been exploring in detail different aspects of an important nosocomial pathogen- Acinetobacter baumannii- that has a particular ability to acquire antimicrobial resistance traits and survive in the hospital environment.

One of the aspects of this bacterium that we have been exploring is its ability to acquire exogenous DNA. We aim to identify environmental conditions and signals that trigger competence and the genes coding for structural and regulatory functions involved in the transformation process in A. baumannii. Moreover, we are exploring the specific role of albumin and other proteins found in human body fluids in competence development. This understanding could ultimately facilitate the exploration of novel approaches to treat severe A. baumannii human infections, particularly those caused by emerging multi-drug resistant isolates. We are working to shed light on this poorly understand process- competence for transformation- in this important pathogen.

Moreover, and as part of a fruitful collaboration establish with Dr Mussi, we have recently recognized a new aspect of A. baumanniipathophysiology valuable in the above context: its ability to perceive and respond to light modulating motility and biofilm formation, virulence against eukaryotic hosts and even susceptibility to certain antibiotics clinically relevant such as minocycline and tigecycline. In this sense, the goal of this research line is to evaluate whether the environmental signal light could be used to optimize the utilization of clinical relevant antibiotics, such as minocycline and tigecycline, to control infections caused by multidrug resistant pathogens. We are also studying other important pathogens in addition to A. baumannii, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, microorganisms that also showed modulation by light of antibiotic susceptibility. We plan also to provide insights into the mechanisms of light signal transduction in A. baumannii to better understand this process and broaden the knowledge of the physiology and pathogenicity of this bacterium.

Since the establishment of her research group, Dr. Ramirez has mentored many students who have successful transitioned to Masters and PhD programs as well as careers in the private sector. Her students present their work at international, regional and local conferences with her support and also are co-author of papers.