VAMPIRE
uclouvain |
Connecting prey attacks and cell cycle switches in predatory bacteria
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.
This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the grant agreement number 101171143.