I am a full professor in structural microbiology at Aarhus University, Denmark, interested in uncovering fundamental, molecular mechanisms underlying central survival mechanisms in both bacteria and archaea with the aim of understanding how microorganisms respond to nutritional stress, antibiotics, and other changes in their environment. Knowledge of these mechanisms can be used to develop new antimicrobial drugs. We use bioinformatics analysis of bacterial (meta) genomes, classical biochemistry as well as hybrid methods in structural biology (x-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and small-angle x-ray scattering) and microbiology (physiology and growth) in our work. Current projects: Mechanism of activation and activity of bacterial RNase (VapBC, RelBE, HicAB) and kinase (HipBA) toxin-antitoxin systems. Understanding the role of toxin-antitoxin systems in anti-phage defence. Understanding how phosphonate compounds are utilised as sources of phosphorous via the carbon-phosphorus lyase pathway in E. coli. Understanding the interplay between toxin-antitoxin systems and CRISPR-Cas immunity in bacteria and archaea. Regulation of (p)ppGpp synthesis and the effects of the alarmone during stress in bacteria. Visit our lab web site at www.bioxray.au.dk/~deb