Muhammad Afzal

Research Focus

Our research focuses on molecular interactions within polymicrobial oral biofilms and the role of bacterial secondary metabolites in shaping these communities. We investigate nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)–derived metabolites such as mutanobactins and mutanofactins and their roles in microbial communication, competition, and biofilm development. Using transcriptomics and molecular microbiology approaches, our work aims to uncover regulatory networks that control secondary metabolite production and interspecies interactions in oral microbial ecosystems.