Leif Steil

Leif Steil serves as Group leader at the Department of Functional Genomics within the Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genome Research at the University of Greifswald. His research integrates proteomic, genomic, and structural approaches to investigate bacterial pathogenesis and host immune responses, with primary focus on Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Dr. Steil's research program centers on molecular mechanisms of bacterial virulence regulation under environmental stresses like iron limitation. His work employs mass spectrometry-based proteomics, structural biology, and molecular genetics to dissect host-pathogen interactions, particularly examining serine protease-mediated immune evasion, lysine acetylation in virulence reprogramming, and bacterial nutrient acquisition systems. Key contributions include elucidating Spl protease functions in Staphylococcus aureus and developing genetic tools like pTripleTREP for virulence factor expression.

Recent publications demonstrate strong translational impact across bacterial physiology and clinical medicine, with significant work on thrombosis-immunology interfaces including platelet-activating histone/antihistone complexes in thrombocytopenia syndromes. His methodological innovations such as SpectroPipeR for DIA-MS data analysis enhance proteomics workflow efficiency, while structural studies on oligopeptide transporters provide fundamental insights into bacterial nutrient sensing.

As research group leader, Dr. Steil directs investigations into bacterial adaptation mechanisms and their clinical implications, maintaining active collaborations across international research networks to advance antimicrobial strategies and diagnostic approaches.