Meet Edgar Campos-Madueno working on multidrug-resistant bacteria and clinical infection scenarios
Source: https://bsse.ethz.ch/news-and-events/d-bsse-news/2026/02/meet-edgar-igor-campos-madueno-working-on-multidrug-resistant-bacteria-and-clinical-infection-scenarios.html Parent: https://bsse.ethz.ch/news-and-events/d-bsse-news.html?AUTHOR=Q2Fyb2xpbiBBcm5kdCBGb3BwYQ&path=L2NvbnRlbnQvc3BlY2lhbGludGVyZXN0L2Jzc2UvZGVwYXJ0bWVudC9lbi9uZXdzLWFuZC1ldmVudHMvamNyOmNvbnRlbnQvcGFyL25ld3NmZWVkXzQzMTg
The Mexico-born molecular biologist studied at the University of Bern how multidrug-resistant bacteria can colonize the gut of Swiss nationals living abroad. Soon he found himself inspired by the research at D-BSSE. Working here, however, felt like a distant summit on the horizon. As a passionate trail runner, he believes in steady climbs and long distances. The endurance paid off: in January 2026, he joined the Bioprocess Lab of Sven Panke as a postdoctoral researcher.
What did you know about D-BSSE before you came here, and what was yourmotivation to come to ETH Zurich?
I had heard many good things about ETH Zurich, especially from family\ and friends who are ETH-alumni or who have collaborated with ETH-researchers in one way or another. D-BSSE first came onto my radar during the COVID-pandemic, when one of the main researchers in that field happened to be a professor at this institute. After that, D-BSSE stayed in the back of my mind, although I always thought it might be a long shot.
After finishing my PhD and first postdoc, I decided to keep pursuing my passion for antimicrobial resistance and bacterial genomics. When I saw the postdoctoral position in the Panke group, which focuses on in vitro modelling of bacterial infections using axenic models within the NCCR-AntiResist framework, I knew it was a good fit. The project matched both my background and my interests, so I applied, and here I am.
What were your expectations, and were they met after arriving in Basel?
Interestingly, I always used to say that I would never want to work in Basel because there are no mountains nearby... Yes, I’m a trail runner! However, when I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are actually some nice places to run and explore around D-BSSE. I may just need to keep exploring a bit more and find the closest hill.
“It’s extremely motivating to be surrounded by so many smart, curious, and capable researchers, and to have access to such advanced instrumentation and infrastructure. This kind of environment really pushes you to think bigger and work better.”
Edgar Campos-Madueno, Postdoctoral researcher in the Bioprocess Lab, D-BSSE
What were your first impressions? Anything special, unexpected, or funny?
Everything, honestly. I’m still a bit blown away by the amount of technology and brain power available here. The last time I felt like this was when I worked at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation in La Jolla, USA.
It’s extremely motivating to be surrounded by so many smart, curious, and capable researchers, and to have access to such advanced instrumentation and infrastructure. This kind of environment really pushes you to think bigger and work better.
Which research will you pursue at D-BSSE?
My work will be within the context of the NCCR-AntiResist initiative. We use the hollow fiber reactor technology to simulate specific clinical infection scenarios. These studies involve cultivating bacterial isolates from patients in synthetic media, exposing them to different antibiotic concentration profiles, and monitoring both antibiotic efficacy and resistance development. This approach allows for a detailed analysis of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) for established as well as emerging antibiotic therapies. Beyond that, I hope to apply my background in bacterial genomics and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of clinical relevance, as well as help develop rapid identification methods.
The Panke group has many interesting technologies that are a promising fit for developing next-generation antimicrobials and rapid screening tools, and I’m excited to explore those directions.
What hobbies would you like to take up in Switzerland?
I’m lucky to call Switzerland home. I have a long-distance trail race coming up this summer, so I should probably start training seriously at some point. Besides that, hiking and rock climbing with my family are always a priority and one of the best ways for us to enjoy time together.
\ Many thanks, Edgar, welcome to the D-BSSE and all the very best to you and your research!
Edgar Igor Campos-Madueno studied plant molecular biology at San Diego State University in the USA, where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s. He then moved into industry to work on microRNA signatures in human plasma at Gensignia Life Sciences in San Diego, USA. Two years later, he became a Scientific Associate in the RNA initiative group at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation & Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research (GNF) in La Jolla, USA. In his research, he explored how RNA and proteins interact and worked on synthetizing RNA oligos for drug discoverypurposes.
In 2019, Edgar moved with his family to Switzerland and later joined the group of Andrea Endimiani at the Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK) in the University of Bern to study multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and genomics. Two years later, he embarked on a SNF-funded PhD project at the IFIK, studying how Swiss expatriates, while living abroad, can pick up and carry multidrug-resistant bacteria in their gut. Since January 2026, he is a postdoctoral researcher in the Bioprocess lab led by Sven Panke, contributing to the NCCR AntiResist programme.
Edgar is an avid endurance runner who has competed in many external page ultramarathons. Feel free to get in touch with him if you're looking for a weekend adventure, endurance running tips, or a science chat!