Jan-Willem Veening (born 1978) and his multidisciplinary team study how Streptococcus pneumoniae – the bacterium responsible for pneumonia and other illnesses – reproduces, becomes a pathogen and develops a resistance to antibiotics. His research combines clever genetic tricks, synthetic biology and advanced microscopy in a way that is altogether unique in the world in his field. Veening is aware of the social impact of his work and regularly contributes to public discussion of synthetic biology, the use of antibiotics and other issues.
