Brian Coombes is Professor and Chair in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University. His research interests are centered on infectious diseases and public health, with a focus on gut health, antimicrobial resistance, and the roles of microbes in chronic gut disorders, including Crohn's disease. The lab has a deep interest in understanding bacterial virulence factors and their action on the host's innate immune system. A long-term vision of the Coombes laboratory is to generate fundamental knowledge into how bacterial pathogens override immunological systems. This information can be used as an entry point to drug discovery where the goal of therapy is to harness the power of innate immune systems to eradicate disease-causing microbes and overcome challenges such as antimicrobial resistance.

Working at the interface of microbiology and innate immunity, we study host-pathogen dynamics in cell models and pre-clinical models of various infections and chronic conditions. We are particularly interested in drug-resistant bacterial infections and chronic diseases where microbes are disease modifiers, such as inflammatory bowel disease. We also work closely with the private sector where we are actively collaborating on novel drug discovery projects.

Dr. Coombes is the recipient of the Scientific Merit Award from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Fisher Scientific Award for Career Achievement, and the Boehringer Ingelheim Investigator Award in Biological Sciences and was inducted into Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. In 2023, he was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. Dr. Coombes has published over 220 peer-reviewed articles and conference papers and given over 80 invited talks worldwide on his research related to IBD and host-pathogen interactions. The Coombes lab has trained over 110 researchers at all levels from undergraduate, graduate student, and postdoctoral fellow.