Unlike traditional biological research that focuses on a small set of  components, systems biology studies the complex interactions among a large number of genes, proteins and other elements of biological networks and systems. Host-Pathogen Systems Biology examines the interactions between the components of two distinct organisms: a microbial or viral pathogen and its animal host. With the availability of complete genomic sequences of a variety of hosts and pathogens, together with breakthroughs in proteomics, metabolomics and other experimental areas, the investigation of host-pathogen systems on a multitude of levels of detail has come within reach. 
 
We are particularly interested the role of biochemical networks for the study of complex relationships across species boundaries. Although the research area of host-pathogen systems biology spans multiple spatial and temporal scales, we are focusing on the molecular and cellular aspect of pathogen-host interactions. Our research covers the construction of biochemical networks, the identification of functional response sub-networks and their comparative network analysis. These methods find application in the identification of host markers and drug targets for further drug development and therapeutic interventions. 

Furthermore, we are developing mathematical approaches and computational tools for the study and analysis of biochemical networks. Such approaches include novel clustering methods to identify tightly connected sub-networks, parallel algorithms to effectively calculate k-shortest paths and network algebras to compare and manipulate biochemical networks in a well-defined, mathematical manner.