Microbiologist
Deputy HOD (Teaching)
PhD(Jacobs University Bremen, Germany), MSc(Jacobs University Bremen, Germany), BSc (University of Applied Sciences Hagenberg, Austria).
Contact
Email daniel.pletzer@otago.ac.nz
Twitter @pletzerlab
Webpage Pletzer Lab
ORCID 0000-0001-5750-7505
ResearcherID G-5737-2013
Teaching roles
- MICR 221 Microbes to Medicine
- MICR 332 Health Microbiology
- MICR 335 Molecular Microbiology (Convener)
- MICR 360 Research Perspectives
- MICR 461 Molecular Microbiology
- MICR 463 Trends in Microbiology
- MICR 490 Dissertation
Previous academic positions
- 2015–2019 Postdoctoral Research Fellow (University of British Columbia, Canada)
- 2014–2015 Postdoctoral Fellow (Jacobs University Bremen, Germany)
Current research
Our research is focused on recalcitrant ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) pathogens; especially hard-to-treat clinical isolates involved in multidrug resistance, biofilm infections and persistence.
We are especially interested in bacteria that have been categorised as "critical" priority pathogens by the World Health Organization. This includes multidrug resistant organisms that cause severe and often deadly infections and therefore pose an enormous threat in hospitals.
To address this issue, our research focuses on fighting infectious diseases and tackling antimicrobial resistance using innovative and interdisciplinary approaches.
Our lab seeks to:
Postgraduate opportunities
Did you just finish your BSc degree, and are you interested in a Honours or Masters project? We always have a lot of ongoing exciting projects – just reach out to hear more about what is available.
Email daniel.pletzer@otago.ac.nz
Web Pletzer Lab
Interested in a PhD? Candidates with a BSc(Hons) or MSc degree are highly encouraged to apply if their research interest and experience matches any of the following themes: Microbiology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or Bioinformatics.
All PhD candidates must be eligible for admission to the University of Otago and apply for a PhD scholarship. The scholarship is available to both domestic and international students. International students should have a look at the International Office for entry requirements and contact the lab beforehand.
If you are interested in joining our lab, please send a cover letter including current research interests, a CV including all published work, a summary of previous research (if applicable), full academic transcripts, and contact information for two-three references.
Further information
Visit the Pletzer Lab website for more informaiton
Scholarly netwoking
Daniel Pletzer team members.
Publications
Wardell, S. J. T., Yung, D. B. Y., Gupta, A., Bostina, M., Overhage, J., Hancock, R. E. W., & Pletzer, D. (2025). DJK-5, an anti-biofilm peptide, increases Staphylococcus aureus sensitivity to colistin killing in co-biofilms with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. npj Biofilms & Microbiomes, 11, 8. doi: 10.1038/s41522-024-00637-y Journal - Research Article
Wardell, S. J. T., Yung, D. B. Y., Nielsen, J. E., Lamichhane, R., Sørensen, K., Molchanova, N., … Wise, L. M., … Pletzer, D. (2025). A biofilm-targeting lipo-peptoid to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus co-infections. Biofilm, 9, 100272. doi: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2025.100272 Journal - Research Article
Pérez de la Lastra, J. M., Wardell, S. J. T., Pal, T., de la Fuente-Nunez, C., & Pletzer, D. (2024). From data to decisions: Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning in combating antimicrobial resistance: A comprehensive review. Journal of Medical Systems, 48, 71. doi: 10.1007/s10916-024-02089-5 Journal - Research Other
Lyons, N., Wu, W., Jin, Y., Lamont, I. L., & Pletzer, D. (2024). Using host-mimicking conditions and a murine cutaneous abscess model to identify synergistic antibiotic combinations effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Frontiers in Cellular & Infection Microbiology, 14, 1352339. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1352339 Journal - Research Article
Pletzer, D., Mansour, S. C., & Hancock, R. E. W. (2018). Synergy between conventional antibiotics and anti-biofilm peptides in a murine, sub-cutaneous abscess model caused by recalcitrant ESKAPE pathogens. PLoS Pathogens, 14(6), e1007084. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007084 Journal - Research Article