Grant: Operating Grant

Health practitioners throughout the world are fighting a losing battle against multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria that are the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. We are investigating proteins that are anchored onto cell surface of these bacteria via a lipid - thus called a "lipoprotein". These lipoproteins have essential roles in acquiring nutrients and evading the host's immune system. Since these mechanisms are required for the bacteria to survive within the host, the lipoproteins have become attractive targets for the development of vaccines and antibiotics. This research program is focused on understanding how lipoproteins are exported to the cell surface of pathogenic bacteria. We will obtain molecular details and delineate the mechanism of lipoprotein export, and explore various ways to inhibit lipoprotein secretion to the cell surface. Information on the lipoprotein export apparatus will aid in the development of novel antibiotics and vaccines. Taken together we will help specifically eradicate these pathogenic bacteria and aid in the global crisis of infections caused by multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria.