Objective For many years, bacteria have been considered very simple organisms mostly studied in the context of single cells. However, recent discoveries revealed the ability of bacteria to develop complex communities. The study of bacterial communities is of biomedical and ecological importance as the formation of highly organized multicellular structures such as biofilms and fruiting bodies render infectious bacteria resistant to antibiotics and are very difficult to treat. Essential for biofilm and fruiting body formation is the ability of bacterial cells to communicate with each other. Recent observations on the model system Myxococcus xanthus suggest the existence of a previously undiscovered mechanism of bacterial cell-cell communication. Very likely, M. xanthus shares its way of cell-cell communication with other bacterial species also forming multicellular structures, including human pathogens. The proposed study will i) focus on the investigation of the mechanisms responsible of cell-cell communications; ii) take advantage of innovative techniques and integrate genetic, biochemical and cellular approaches; iii) open new insights in the knowledge of bacterial multicellularity. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibiotics Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinator CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS Address Rue michel ange 3 75794 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Béatrice Saint-Cricq (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data