Project description
Elucidating the molecular mechanisms and pathways of ‘vampirisation’
Some bacteria prey on other bacteria – including multi-drug-resistant bacteria – on whom they depend for survival and growth. These obligate predatory bacteria consume their prey, ‘vampirising’ them from the prey’s surface or from within. They have long been recognised for their potential as therapeutic or biocontrol agents. However, key processes of predatory attacks and predator proliferation are not well known. The ERC-funded VAMPIRE project aims to elucidate molecular mechanisms and pathways using advanced live-cell imaging tools, genetics, proteomics and structural approaches. Researchers will focus on the molecular nanomachines (pili and secretion systems) in predatory attacks, the macromolecular feeding complex of predatory bacteria and second messengers coordinating timing of events.
Objective
Bacterial predators offer a unique avenue to identify novel molecular weapons that could be harnessed against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Obligate predatory bacteria thrive by consuming other bacteria, either vampirizing prey from inside (endobiotic predation) or from the surface (epibiotic predation). However, critical aspects of predatory attacks and predator proliferation remain enigmatic.
The VAMPIRE project aims to fill this gap by elucidating the molecular devices used for prey attack and digestion, and the pathways controlling predator proliferation during these key predation stages. Building on state-of-the-art live-cell imaging tools and insights on endobiotic predation from the ERC StG PREDATOR, VAMPIRE takes a significant leap further by addressing long-standing gaps in mechanistic understanding of bacterial predation. Investigation in VAMPIRE is consolidated by studying both endobiotic and epibiotic predation modes, leveraging two closely related predator species as model systems: Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (endobiotic) and B. exovorus (epibiotic).
This proposal specifically aims to (i) examine the roles of conserved molecular nanomachines (pili and secretion systems) in predatory attacks, (ii) uncover the intriguing macromolecular feeding complex clamping predators to prey during vampirization, (iii) unravel the significance of secondary messengers in coordinating the start and end of predator growth with prey attack and consumption. Strong preliminary data indicate spatial confinement of these mechanisms to the prey-invasive pole in the predator cell, emphasizing subcellular organization as a key determinant for coupling attacks and cell cycle control in bacterial predators.
Combining single-cell live imaging, genetics, proteomics, and structural approaches, VAMPIRE will comprehensively explore predatory lifecycles, extending beyond the textbook “classics” of bacterial proliferation while offering insights into novel antibacterial mechanisms.
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins proteomics
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
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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)
- Bacterial predation
- bacterial cell cycle
- live-cell imaging of bacterial cells
- bacterial cell polarity
- Type 4 pili
- Tad pili
- bacterial secretion systems
- c-di-GMP
- stringent response
- protein localisation
- epifluorescence microscopy
- inter-species interactions
- bacterial envelope complexes
- secondary messengers
- bacterial growth
- bacterial cell division
- bacterial cell envelope
- Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
- Caulobacter crescentus
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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-COG
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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.
1348 LOUVAIN LA NEUVE
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.