Overview
Our laboratory studies transport systems of bacterial pathogens. We focus on the type III secretion system (T3SS), which is a multi-protein complex that plays a key role in bacterial virulence. The T3SS is dedicated to the secretion and injection of bacterial virulence factors, termed effectors, into the cytoplasm of the host cells. Understanding this secretion process will enable us to design novel therapeutic drugs that target the bacterial pathogens causing plant, animal, and human diseases. Moreover, this knowledge might offer novel methods of drug delivery.
Projects
Molecular Assembly and Host Targeting Mechanisms of the Type III Secretion System
The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) is a complex molecular machine essential for bacterial virulence, requiring precise assembly and targeting mechanisms for effective pathogen-host interaction. Our research aims to elucidate both the assembly process of the T3SS and the subsequent host membrane targeting mediated by the translocon complex.
|
Diet and bacterial virulence
Engineering Bacterial Secretion Systems for Oral administration of Protein Therapeutics
Polymicrobial Infections: Beyond Single-Pathogen Diseases
Techniques we use
Our lab combines state-of-the-art microbiology, molecular biology, biochemical, and biophysical approaches to shed light on this highly important bacterial transport complex. The lab has vast experience in using molecular biology tools, protein expression and purification techniques, enzymatic assays, FRET experiments, and various biochemical and biophysical methods.