New NCN SONATA grant at CNBCh UW: “Evolutionary mechanisms driven by Staphylococcus aureus carriage”

14 01 2026

In December 2025, CNBCh launched an NCN SONATA grant entitled “Evolutionary mechanisms driven by Staphylococcus aureus carriage”, led by Dr Marta Matuszewska. Dr Matuszewska earned her PhD at the University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, and in this new project she brings together expertise at the intersection of pathogen genomics, epidemiology, and infection biology.

Staphylococcus aureus remains one of the most important pathogens, while approximately 30% of the population may carry it asymptomatically—creating a vast reservoir in which resistant strains can persist and spread.

The project aims to understand how carriage shapes the evolution and transmission potential of this pathogen, what role antimicrobial resistance plays in infection development, and how the transition from colonization to active infection occurs. Using a One Health approach, the study will integrate comparative genomic analyses of carriage and disease isolates, assess temporal changes in the prevalence of circulating lineages, and identify genetic traits that promote persistence in the population.

The project is closely aligned with CNBCh’s research profile: Dr Matuszewska will collaborate with the Laboratory of Infection Biology led by Dr habil. Marta Zapotoczna, strengthening a long-standing CNBCh UW research track focused on infection mechanisms and the factors underlying strain success.

The project is also carried out in international collaboration with leading European partners:

• Francesc Coll (IBV, CSIC, Spain)
• Julian Parkhill (University of Cambridge)
• Mark Holmes (University of Cambridge)
• Ewan Harrison (Wellcome Sanger Institute)

We wish the team every success in delivering the project!