Jolein Laumen

Jolein Laumen is a Researcher at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (ITM), focusing on clinical virology and antimicrobial resistance. She leads the 2021-2023 project Understanding and preventing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae, collaborating with scientists like Prof. Christa Kenyon and Dr. Surbhi Malhotra-Kumar. Her work integrates microbiology, genomics, and clinical research to address global challenges in gonorrhea treatment and resistance mechanisms.

Laumen's research interests center on Neisseria gonorrhoeae, commensal Neisseria species, and the development of antimicrobial resistance. She explores topics such as horizontal gene transfer, resistance phenotypes, and the impact of antibiotic consumption patterns on bacterial susceptibility. Her studies often involve cross-sectional surveys, in vitro transformation experiments, and clinical trials like the PReGo trial evaluating mouthwash effects on oropharyngeal microbiota.

Key contributions include identifying novel Neisseria species clades via genomic surveillance, analyzing resistance mechanisms to drugs like zoliflodacin and azithromycin, and examining the role of food residues in inducing antibiotic resistance. Her work bridges laboratory research with real-world applications, influencing guidelines for antimicrobial stewardship and clinical management strategies.

Laumen has authored over 39 peer-reviewed articles and collaborates internationally on projects addressing antimicrobial resistance in sexually transmitted infections. Her research emphasizes the interconnectedness of human health, environmental factors, and microbial evolution, positioning her as a leading expert in clinical microbiology and public health.