Project description
Bacterial envelope and virulence of Bacillus anthracis
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease of livestock and humans caused by Bacillus anthracis, which is also considered a potential bioterrorist agent. Among the virulence factors of this gram-positive bacterium are S-layer proteins that form the outermost layer of the bacterial cell envelope. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SLYDIV project aims to dissect the mechanism of S-layer assembly and its association with bacterial cell division. Through a multidisciplinary approach, researchers will advance current knowledge on the bacterial cell envelope and pave the way towards the design of specific therapies against B. anthracis.
Objective
Many bacteria possess a paracrystaline protein coat named the S-layer. S-layers cover the entire cell surface and are involved in protection, virulence, cell-shape maintenance and communication. Lattice integrity is essential for S-layer function, meaning that its assembly must be intimately coordinated with cell growth and division. Some studies have reported that S-layer biogenesis co-localizes with peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Here, I will investigate the molecular regulatory network that orchestrates S-layer assembly, cell division and PG synthesis in the human pathogen Bacillus anthracis, where S-layer defects render the bacterium avirulent, making this ultrastructure an attractive therapeutic target.
In the SLYDIV project I will 1) structurally and functionally compare Sap and EA1, the exponential and stationary phase S-layer proteins of B. anthracis 2) follow their in vivo assembly using time-resolved labelling and fluorescent microscopy and 3) uncovering the molecular interactions that couple S-layer assembly with the PG and/or cell division machinery. I will make use of chemicals that selectively target the cell cycle or cell division and monitor localization of S-layer assembly, will use nanobodies that disturb S-layer integrity and monitor the localization of cell wall synthesis, and use my interactomics experience to discover contact partners of S-layer and PG synthesis. Thus, SLYDIV is a multidisciplinary and integrative project that combines structural biology, biophysics, cell imaging, and microbiology. In addition, SLYDIV meets my solid knowledge on bacterial cell division with the host labs’ expertise on S-layer structure and function.
The SLYDIV project aims to lead to a major breakthrough in the basic understanding of the regulation of the bacterial cell envelope, while it will pave the way for specific novel molecular therapies against B. Anthracis, a Category A bioterrorist agent.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.