MARE Research Group

Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance

Group Leader

Louise Stéphanie Makemgue

Dr. Louise Stéphanie Makemgue is a microbiologist and infectious disease researcher with expertise in maternal-fetal infections, antimicrobial resistance, HIV drug resistance, human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping, and rubella virus infections during pregnancy. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Biology (2006), a Master’s degree in Animal Biology (Parasitology) (2009), and a Ph.D. in Parasitology (2018) from the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. During her doctoral training, she received a scholarship from the Centre National de Référence Rubéole et Infections Maternofœtales (CNR), Paris, France, where she gained advanced training in molecular diagnostics, antibody avidity testing, sequencing, and sample processing.

Dr. Makemgue currently serves as Lecturer-Researcher and Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Welfare at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ebolowa. She is also the Deputy Leader of the Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance (MARE) Research Group at the Translational Research and Development Foundation (TREND Foundation). Her research focuses on the molecular epidemiology and diagnosis of infectious diseases, particularly those affecting maternal and child health. In collaboration with the National Reference Centre for Rubella and Maternal-Fetal Infections in Paris, she investigates vaccine-induced immune responses and conducts genotyping studies of rubella virus strains. She has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in microbiology, virology, parasitology, and public health. Dr. Makemgue actively participates in national and international scientific conferences and is a member of the French Society for Microbiology and the French Society for Virology.

About

Background

Antimicrobials, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, are essential medicines used to prevent and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve mechanisms that enable them to survive exposure to drugs that were previously effective against them. As a result, infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat, leading to prolonged illness, greater risk of disease transmission, disability, and death.

Although AMR is a natural evolutionary process driven by genetic changes in microorganisms, its emergence and spread have been significantly accelerated by human activities, particularly the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial agents in human health, animal production, and agriculture. Today, AMR represents one of the most serious global public health and development challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bacterial AMR was associated with approximately 4.95 million deaths worldwide in 2022. The World Bank further estimates that AMR could generate up to USD 1 trillion in additional healthcare costs by 2025 and result in annual global economic losses ranging from USD 1 trillion to USD 3.4 trillion by 2030.

The burden of AMR affects countries across all regions and income levels, although low- and middle-income countries bear a disproportionate share due to poverty, limited healthcare resources, and inadequate surveillance systems. Furthermore, AMR threatens the effectiveness of modern medicine by making common infections more difficult to treat and increasing the risks associated with surgical procedures, caesarean sections, organ transplantation, and cancer chemotherapy.

The human microbiome, comprising diverse microbial communities that inhabit the body, plays a fundamental role in maintaining health. In particular, the gut microbiota supports immune function, nutrient metabolism, and protection against pathogenic microorganisms. However, disruptions in microbial balance (dysbiosis) can lead to the production of harmful metabolites, impaired immune responses, and increased susceptibility to infectious and non-communicable diseases. Understanding the interactions between antimicrobial resistance and the human microbiome is therefore critical for developing sustainable strategies to prevent and manage disease.

Research Goals

Research in Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) focuses on understanding the molecular, genetic, and biochemical mechanisms that enable microorganisms to evade antimicrobial agents. This includes investigating the processes of horizontal gene transfer and microbial evolution that facilitate the emergence and dissemination of resistant pathogens. Such research is essential for identifying resistance determinants, tracking evolutionary trends, and developing innovative diagnostic tools, vaccines, and therapeutic interventions. It also contributes to strengthening One Health surveillance systems that integrate human, animal, and environmental health to monitor and control the spread of AMR. The overarching goal of AMR research is to curb the emergence and transmission of resistant infections while preserving the effectiveness of existing antimicrobial agents for future generations. Achieving this objective requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines microbiology, genomics, epidemiology, and public health strategies. In the field of the human microbiome and disease, research seeks to elucidate the complex interactions between microbial communities and their host. The gut microbiota, in particular, plays a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis, metabolic health, and resistance to pathogen colonization. Disruptions in these microbial ecosystems have been linked to numerous infectious and non-communicable diseases. A deeper understanding of host–microbiome interactions offers opportunities for the development of novel diagnostics and microbiome-based therapeutics, including probiotics, antimicrobial peptides, and engineered microbial consortia designed to restore microbial balance and improve health outcomes.

Our research

Effective prevention and control of infectious diseases require the early detection, accurate diagnosis, and timely treatment of infections, including those caused by antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens. Key priorities include ensuring universal access to quality diagnostics, promoting appropriate antimicrobial use, strengthening AMR surveillance systems, and advancing innovation to support evidence-based interventions. In alignment with these priorities, the Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance (MARE) Research Group is organized into three complementary research axes.

Research Axis #1 - Medical Microbiology

This research axis focuses on understanding the complex interactions between the human microbiome and disease, particularly within the organ–gut–microbiota axis. Research will investigate how intestinal microbial communities influence human health and contribute to diseases affecting various organ systems, including metabolic disorders and cancers. Particular emphasis will be placed on defining healthy microbiome profiles while accounting for environmental, dietary, physiological, and lifestyle factors that shape microbial composition. A major research priority is the development of individualized microbiome-based strategies for breast cancer prevention and treatment. Given the growing evidence linking altered microbial diversity to breast cancer outcomes, the group will explore probiotics and other microbiome-modulating interventions to improve therapeutic responses and patient prognosis. Additional studies will focus on the gut–bladder axis, examining the role of microbiota in urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, and related disorders. The group also aims to identify microbial biomarkers and develop microbiome-based diagnostic tools for diseases such as prostate cancer, enabling early detection and risk stratification.

Research Axis #2 - Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

This research axis addresses the growing global challenge of AMR through the discovery and development of novel antimicrobial interventions. With increasing resistance and a declining antibiotic development pipeline, there is an urgent need for innovative vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. A key focus will be the isolation, purification, and characterization of antimicrobial peptides produced by probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB). These bioactive compounds have demonstrated promising inhibitory activity against drug-resistant pathogens and represent potential alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Research efforts will evaluate their mechanisms of action, antimicrobial spectrum, and therapeutic potential as next-generation antimicrobial agents.

Research Axis #3 - Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)

The objective of this research axis is to optimize antimicrobial use and strengthen stewardship practices to reduce the emergence and spread of AMR. Research will identify barriers to the appropriate deployment of antimicrobial therapies and support evidence-based prescribing practices through education, policy development, and capacity building. Priority areas include: (i) strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programs in healthcare and community settings; (ii) improving access to and rational use of new and existing antimicrobials; (iii) enhancing AMR surveillance and data-sharing systems; and (iv) advancing diagnostic technologies that support timely, accurate, and evidence-based treatment decisions. Collectively, these efforts will contribute to sustainable AMR control and improved public health outcomes in Cameroon and beyond.

People