Objective
The aim of my research is to identify generic and physical mechanisms that regulate bacterial colonization and subsequent biofilm formation on biomaterial surfaces. This is an emerging problem in modern health care since biofilm implant-related infections are very difficult to eradicate and thus a main contributor to the development and spreading of antibiotic resistance. A key player is fimbriae; these hair-like surface organelles found on many bacteria are known to strongly promote biofilm formation, which is commonly attributed to fimbriae forming strong surface bonds. By recording in 3D the binding of single bacteria to nanopatterned surfaces we observed that this is not necessarily true; We found that fimbriae due to their heterogeneous distribution in length, rather then forming strong bonds provide bacteria a mean to adjust their surface adhesion, shifting between monovalent, loose and mobile binding to firm multivalent immobile binding modes in response to different flow conditions. This suggests a so far unexplored, regulatory role of fimbriae in the surface colonization process. My overarching aim is therefore to understand the influence of this mechanism on bacterial surface colonization. Specifically, I will test the hypothesis that physical and chemical/colloidal interactions are reflected in these structures and their biological function, providing bacteria evolved roles; In this case, that bacteria with certain fimbrial expression are fitter to be colonizers of certain environmental niches. To investigate this I will introduce new methods, allowing simultaneous read-out of a single-bacterium fimbrial expression and tracking of its movement in 3D. I foresee that this project and the training actions described herein will be the basis for a future scientific career focused on unraveling the intricate interplay between bacteria and their host surfaces.
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.
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug resistance antibiotic resistance
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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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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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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.
405 30 Goeteborg
Sweden
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.