Research Bio

Hiroshi Nikaido is Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology. His research interests are in the biochemical and molecular genetic analysis of the structure and functions of bacterial membranes. Topics currently pursued include the specific and non-specific channel-forming proteins of the outer membrane, the diffusion of lipophilic compounds (inhibitors and antibiotics) across the unusually impermeable bilayer domain of the outer membrane, as well as the mechanism and regulation of multidrug efflux transport systems that pump out an incredibly wide range of compounds from bacterial cells. His research group is also studying the structure and functions of mycobacterial cell wall, which makes these bacteria intrinsically resistant to most drugs because it acts as an exceptionally efficient permeability barrier.

Research Expertise and Interest

membrane biochemistry, bacterial physiology, bacteria, channel-forming proteins of the outer membrane, the diffusion of lipophilic compounds, mechanism and regulation of multidrug efflux transport systems, mycobacterial cell wall