The Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section of the Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis investigates the molecular basis of pathogenesis in staphylococci, focusing on the two most important staphylococcal pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. Research projects include mechanisms of staphylococci to evade human innate host defense such as toxin production and biofilm formation and virulence gene regulation. In addition, recent studies have given important insight into the molecular underpinnings of the exceptional pathogenic potential of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus.