Objetivo Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial cell–cell communication process involving the production, release, and detection of extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers. QS is key to all microbiology as it enables otherwise solitary bacteria to coordinate complex cooperative tasks such as biofilm formation and pathogenesis. Consequently, targeting QS is a promising new concept for antimicrobial therapy. However, for this concept to become reality, we must first identify QS systems in pathogenic bacteria, discover the relevant autoinducers and study the underlying regulatory principles. I recently identified a new QS pathway in Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera disease. The autoinducer of the system is DPO (3,5-dimethylpyrazin-2-ol), a new molecule to biology and the first pyrazine involved in QS. DPO production is widespread among microbes including pathogenic and commensal bacteria. V. cholerae synthesizes DPO from host mucins and our preliminary data show that DPO controls collective phenotypes, such as biofilm formation and toxin production in this major human pathogen. I therefore hypothesize that DPO connects virulence, QS and communication with the host microbiota in V. cholerae and related bacteria. The overarching goal of this project is to understand the roles of DPO in host-microbe interaction and collective behaviours. To this end, we will pursue three key research goals. First, we will study the molecular parameters underlying DPO-signalling and probe the global effects of DPO on gene expression. Second, we will focus on the role of DPO in virulence of V. cholerae and other pathogens. Third, we will probe the effect of DPO on microbial behaviours, such as swarming and biofilm formation. This combined work will provide a comprehensive model for DPO-signalling in bacteria, which will not only advance the fundamental understanding of QS-based communication strategies, but might also provide the framework for QS-inspired anti-infectives. Ámbito científico natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology Palabras clave Quorum Sensing Regulatory RNAs Biofilms Programa(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Tema(s) ERC-2017-STG - ERC Starting Grant Convocatoria de propuestas ERC-2017-STG Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria Régimen de financiación ERC-STG - Starting Grant Institución de acogida FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITÄT JENA Aportación neta de la UEn € 1 330 157,91 Dirección FÜRSTENGRABEN 1 07743 JENA Alemania Ver en el mapa Región Thüringen Thüringen Jena, Kreisfreie Stadt Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Participación en los programas de I+D de la UE Opens in new window Red de colaboración de HORIZON Opens in new window Coste total € 1 330 157,91 Beneficiarios (2) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación neta de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITÄT JENA Alemania Aportación neta de la UEn € 1 330 157,91 Dirección FÜRSTENGRABEN 1 07743 JENA Ver en el mapa Región Thüringen Thüringen Jena, Kreisfreie Stadt Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Participación en los programas de I+D de la UE Opens in new window Red de colaboración de HORIZON Opens in new window Coste total € 1 330 157,91 LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN La participación finalizó Alemania Aportación neta de la UEn € 169 092,09 Dirección GESCHWISTER SCHOLL PLATZ 1 80539 Muenchen Ver en el mapa Región Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Participación en los programas de I+D de la UE Opens in new window Red de colaboración de HORIZON Opens in new window Coste total € 169 092,09