Structural cell biology of bacterial biofilm formation (360G-Wellcome-202231_Z_16_Z)

£1,135,857

The last few years have seen dramatic developments in the field of electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM). Cryo-EM allows imaging of biological material at multiple scales, from purified macromolecules to whole cells. Now with the latest direct electron detector technology coupled with novel image processing algorithms, near-atomic resolution structures may be resolved using cryo-EM. Biofilms are surface associated bacterial communities that play a role in many infectious processes. The goal of my research is to use the latest electron microscopy technology to image bacterial biofilms at high-resolution. I will focus on two opportunistic pathogens - Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for my research. Infection from both these bacteria relies on colonization of specific niches in the human body with the formation of biofilms. I will solve structures of molecules mediating biofilm formation using cryo-EM, describe the cellular location of these molecules using electron cryotomography, and place these data into context by imaging entire biofilms, also using electron microscopy. I will produce a molecular resolution description of bacterial biofilms, which when combined with near-atomic resolution structures of key molecules, will yield a three-dimensional understanding of bacterial biofilms in unprecedented detail leading to deep mechanistic understanding of this important bacterial developmental process.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 1135857
Applicant Surname Bharat
Approval Committee Sir Henry Dale Fellowship Interview Committee
Award Date 2016-06-01T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2015/16
Grant Programme: Title Sir Henry Dale Fellowship
Internal ID 202231/Z/16/Z
Lead Applicant Dr Tanmay Bharat
Partnership Name Royal Society/Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellowship
Partnership Value 1135857
Planned Dates: End Date 2022-06-01T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2017-06-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region South East
Sponsor(s) Prof Matthew Freeman