Dr. Anna Lopatina

My research focuses on the interactions between bacteria and their viruses in natural environments. Bacteria rely on multiple immune systems for protection, while phages evolve anti-defense proteins to overcome them. These viral inhibitors remain poorly understood, yet they shape the structure and evolution of microbial communities. My work combines experimental and computational approaches to uncover how diverse anti-defense systems function, how they are regulated during infection, and how they influence viral success. Using deep-learning models and molecular tools, I investigate broadly specific anti-defense proteins that can inhibit several bacterial immune systems at once. By linking molecular mechanisms with ecological context, I aim to understand how bacteria and phages coevolve.