My research interest in the past 11 years has focused on understanding how cyclic di-GMP-related genes regulate Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation and dispersal, as well as harnessing this signalling pathway to develop novel anti-biofilm strategies that could re-sensitise P. aeruginosa cells encased in biofilms towards conventional antibiotics.

I have recently developed an interest in another highly versatile microorganism, Salmonella Typhimurium. The emergence of extensively drug resistant (XDR) and pandrug resistant (PDR) S. Typhimurium in sub-Saharan African countries, combined with frequent international travel that may increase the risk of global transmission, underscores the urgent need to find novel antimicrobials.

I’m delighted to join Prof. Webber’s group at the Quadram Institute and begin to make a contribution to the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development in this human pathogen.

Key publications

YM Cai, F Hong, A De Craemer, JG Malone, A Crabbé, T Coenye. Echinacoside reduces intracellular c-di-GMP levels and potentiates tobramycin activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm aggregates. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes. DOI: 10.1038/s41522-025-00673-2.

YM Cai, KW Yu, JH Liu, Z Cai, ZH Zhou, Y Liu, TF Wang, L Yang. The c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase PipA (PA0285) regulates autoaggregation and Pf4 bacteriophage production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Appl Environ Microbiol. DOI: 10.1128/aem.00039-22.

YM Cai. Non-surface attached bacterial aggregates: a ubiquitous third lifestyle. Front Microbiol. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.557035.

YM Cai, JS Webb. Optimization of nitric oxide donors for investigating biofilm dispersal response in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10859-7.

YM Cai, A Hutchin, J Craddock, MA Walsh, JS Webb, I Tews. Differential impact on motility and biofilm dispersal of closely related phosphodiesterases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sci Rep. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63008-5.