Many infectious diseases are caused by bacteria growing in biofilms, a group of cells that stick together and adhere to surfaces, such as the human lung or implanted medical devices. Biofilms affect millions of people worldwide each year, often contributing to death. When a biofilm is successfully established, bacteria are up to 1,000-times more resistant to antimicrobial agents and extremely resistant to clearance by the immune system. These molecular fortifications make bacterial infections difficult to treat, with the possibility of relapse weeks or months after the use of antibiotics. Many infectious diseases caused by biofilm-forming bacteria disproportionately affect the elderly and immunocompromised, like Legionella and Bordetella, which cause pulmonary infections. My research focuses on preventing biofilm formation, and forcing bacteria that have already formed a biofilm to disperse. Molecular engineering was used to design a protein to activate LapG, a protein effector responsible for balancing whether the bacteria are free floating versus anchored. When LapG is active, bacteria shed their adhesive proteins anchoring them to surfaces, and become free floating. I am trying to develop a protein-based drug to fight biofilm-based infections by permanently switching LapG to the “on position.” Because this drug will be made of protein, there will be no toxic breakdown products, and the highly specific binding inherent to protein-based drugs will minimize the risk of side effects. Furthermore, protein-based drugs are genetically encodable, allowing us to genetically modify self-replicating probiotics, such as yogurt cultures or baker’s yeast, to produce this medicine. This will empower low cost drug manufacturing and distribution because local communities in developing countries can produce these therapeutics using readily available cooking equipment and ingredients, and administer them without fear of overdose or toxicity. The goal is to test the LapG binder in animal models of chronic infection, eventually moving to human clinical trials.