Find out more about our research ....
... from Microbiology and Immunology to Bioinformatics
Infectious Diseases
We aim to understand host-pathogen interactions in skin and lung infections using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus as model organisms for co-infections.
Nanomedicines
We investigate novel drugs, ranging from host defense peptides and peptidomimetics to metal nanoparticles, to overcome multidrug resistant ESKAPE pathogens.
Drug Targets
We explore novel drug targets in host and pathogen(s) during infection using high-throughput sequencing technologies including transcriptome and transposon sequencing.
Sources of funding
Health Research Council of New Zealand
2019 NZ-China Biomedical Research Alliance
Otago Medical Research Foundation
2020 Laurenson Bequest and Annual Grant
University of Otago
2020 Annual Research Grant and Otago Medical School Foundation Trust / Biomedical Sciences Dean’s Fund
Maurice Wilkins Centre
2021 Flexible Research Programme
The Pletzer lab has received funding from HRC (2019 NZ-China Biomedical Research Alliance), Maurice Wilkins Centre (2021 Flexible Research Programme), the University of Otago Research Grant and the Otago Medical Research Foundation (2020 Laurenson Bequest and Annual Grant) and Otago Medical School Foundation Trust (2020 Dean’s Bequest).