In the laboratory of Prof. Jean-Denis Docquier, numerous multidisciplinary research projects have been developed over the years, focusing on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of antibiotic resistance, which is considered one of the most significant public health challenges of the 21st century. More recently, the team has dedicated itself to researching innovative solutions to combat this phenomenon, particularly through the development of next-generation diagnostic systems, strategies to limit the selection and colonization of resistant bacteria in the human gut of patients undergoing antibiotic therapy, and the discovery and characterization of new chemical entities with significant antimicrobial activity.

Prof. Jean-Denis Docquier founded and directs the High-Throughput Screening and Protein Engineering platform (HiProtEn, part of the MedBiotech Hub & Competence Centre within the Department of Medical Biotechnology at the University of Siena). This platform has successfully enabled the implementation of complex research projects, such as the optimization of biological drugs (e.g., proteins to be used for the prevention of intestinal dysbiosis), resulting in the generation of new intellectual property.

Prof. Docquier’s laboratory, recognized among international experts in the field, has been involved in numerous collaborations with industry and university, leveraging its expertise for the identification, optimization, and preclinical characterization of antimicrobial molecules for the development of next-generation therapeutic solutions.