Projects
Molecular mechanism of Type 3 protein targeting and secretion KU Leuven
Type III secretion (T3S) is a specialized protein export and delivery system for bacterial protein toxins. These effectors are directly injected in the cytoplasm of host eukaryotic cells, through a dedicated nanosyringe, the injectisome, that spans two bacterial and one eukaryotic membrane. T3SS is one of the most complex protein secretion systems known. To become functional, up to 40 different proteins, in hundreds of copies, interact and ...
Calcium Controls the Intrinsic Dynamics of the Type 3 Translocase Export gate to Switch Client Secretion KU Leuven
The type three secretion system (T3SS) is a multiprotein (20-30) transmembrane complex used by Gram-negative organisms to deliver bacterial cytoplasmic proteins to the host cell cytoplasm. The T3SS is a very important virulence mechanism for many pathogenic organisms. This system has been studied across the globe in the last three decades but still some of the aspects of this system are yet to be unveiled.
The main aim of this thesis ...
TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING THE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF SECRETION MECHANISMS IN E. COLI (Cytoplasmome/secretome divide in E. coli and in vitro reconstitution of the Type 3 Secretion in EPEC) KU Leuven
To function properly, proteins need to reach their final sub-cellular destinations and acquire their final folded state. Therefore, protein targeting and transport are essential cellular processes in all kingdoms of life. Understanding how proteins become transported and folded into a functional state reveals the fundamental aspects of cellular protein biology, like cell wall biogenesis, cell division, molecule-export/uptake/degradation ...