Project description
Mapping bacterial gene transfer to tackle antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria evolve to withstand antibiotics, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of severe illness or death. AMR spreads through genetic mutations and also via horizontal gene transfer, where bacteria exchange resistance genes often through structures called type 4 secretion systems (T4SS). With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Cryo-GraPoTSS project aims to build the first high-resolution, in situ imaging of T4SS in Gram-positive bacteria. Using cryogenic electron microscopy and tomography, researchers will study Enterococcus faecalis, a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. Project findings will help delineate the mechanism of AMR transfer and identify new targets to combat AMR.
Objective
Gram-positive (G+) bacteria, such as the Enterococcus species faecium and faecalis, cause around half of hospital-acquired infections. These infections are increasingly antimicrobial-resistant (AMR), which presents a major challenge for tackling the global burden of disease. AMR arises from mutant genes, which can be inherited, and also spread between bacterial species by conjugation through type 4 secretion systems (T4SS), which are protein complex. T4SS are an attractive target for new antibioitics, but development has proven difficult without detailed structural information on these molecular machines. Information is especially lacking for G+ species, which we will address.
This project will use cryogenic electron microscopy and tomography to study the T4SS of E. faecalis and obtain the first high-resolution and in situ structures of any G+ T4SS, combining my experience with the cryo-EM of membrane protein complexes and the host’s expertise in G+ T4SS. We will reveal the molecular architecture of a critical conjugation machine and its network of protein-protein interactions. This will enable the precise mechanism of gene transfer and essential (targetable) proteins to be determined.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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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
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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-2024-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.
901 87 UMEA
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.