Macrophage

Kate Watkins

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), is widely known as a cause of many hospital acquired infections. The infections can be difficult to treat due to the rise in antibiotic resistant strains, such as Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA). MRSA can hide within the body’s cells, evading both antibiotics and the hosts defence system. The bacterium manipulates these host cells to allow it to live inside them by secreting toxins. This image shows the MRSA (shown in green), hiding in the cell (shown in red). We study bacteria like MRSA in the lab to help us develop treatments that can outsmart the bacteria’s defences.

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