Siân Owen

Dr. Owen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at UAlbany. She also holds a primary appointment as a Research Scientist V at the Wadsworth Center (New York State Department of Health). 

Her research explores the molecular biology of bacterial viruses (phages) and other mobile genetic elements, with a focus on how they shape the ecology and evolution of bacterial pathogens. 

Just as human history is shaped by viral epidemics, bacteria constantly battle their own viruses (phages). The outcome of these battles shapes their genetic diversity, disease potential and antibiotic resistance. Studying these interactions provides fundamental insights into bacterial biology—after all, phages (and other genetic parasites) have been studying bacteria for billions of years longer than we have. By better understanding bacteria-phage interactions, her lab aims to better predict evolutionary outcomes and develop strategic interventions to guide the evolution of bacteria toward favorable outcomes such as antibiotic sensitivity.  

The Owen Lab is pioneering new approaches to isolate phages with unusual and exploitable traits, such as dependency on antibiotic resistance plasmids. By studying these plasmid-dependent phages, the lab is gaining unique insights into the biology of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and exploring how such phages might be harnessed to combat the global crisis of antibiotic resistance.