A5016981557- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Microbial infections and disease research
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Escherichia coli research studies
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Dermatology and Skin Diseases
- Respiratory viral infections research
University of Surrey
2023-2025
University of Glasgow
2025
University of Dundee
2018-2025
Newcastle University
2020-2023
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
2023
University of Sheffield
2021-2022
King's College London
2021-2022
Universidade de Brasília
2020
Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are widely distributed in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. PFTs can act as virulence factors that bacteria utilise dissemination host colonisation or, alternatively, they be employed to compete with rival microbes polymicrobial niches. transition from a soluble form become membrane-embedded by undergoing large conformational changes. Once inserted, perforate the membrane, causing uncontrolled efflux of ions and/or nutrients dissipating protonmotive...
Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are nanomachines widely used by bacteria to deliver toxic effector proteins directly into neighbouring cells. However, the modes of action many effectors remain unknown. Here we report that Ssp6, an anti-bacterial delivered a T6SS opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens, is toxin forms ion-selective pores. Ssp6 inhibits bacterial growth causing depolarisation inner membrane in intoxicated cells, together with increased outer permeability. Reconstruction...
The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is widely used by bacterial pathogens as an effective weapon against competitors and also deployed host eukaryotic cells in some cases. It a contractile nanomachine which delivers toxic effector proteins directly into target dynamic cycles of assembly firing. Bacterial adopt distinct post-translational regulatory strategies for deployment the T6SS. ‘Defensive’ T6SSs assemble fire response to incoming attacks from aggressive neighbouring cells, can utilise...
Competitive bacteria-bacteriophage interactions have resulted in the evolution of a plethora bacterial defense systems preventing phage propagation. In recent years, computational and bioinformatic approaches underpinned discovery numerous novel systems. Anti-phage are frequently encoded together genomic loci termed islands. Here we report identification characterisation anti-phage system, that Shield, which forms part Pseudomonas defensive arsenal. The Shield system comprises core component...
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the foremost cause of opportunistic canine skin and mucosal infections worldwide. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) methicillin-resistant (MRSP) lineages have disseminated globally in last decade present significant treatment challenges. However, little known regarding factors that contribute to success MDR lineages. In this study, we compared genome sequence 110 UK isolates S. with 2166 genomes populations from different continents. A novel core multi-locus typing...
Abstract Bacteria have evolved an extraordinary diversity of defense systems against bacteriophage (phage) predation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these anti-phage often remain elusive. Here, we provide mechanistic and structural insights into Zorya phage systems. Using cryo-EM analyses, show that type I II core components, ZorA ZorB, assemble in a 5:2 complex is similar to inner-membrane ion-driven, rotary motors power flagellar rotation, 9 secretion, gliding Ton nutrient...
Incorporation of disulfide bonds into proteins can be critical for function or stability. In bacterial cells, the periplasmic enzyme DsbA is responsible incorporation many extra-cytoplasmic proteins. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) a widely occurring nanomachine that delivers toxic effector directly rival playing key role in inter-bacterial competition. We report two redundant are required virulence and proper deployment T6SS opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens, with several...
Bacteriophages (phages) outnumber bacteria ten-to-one and cause infections at a rate of 10
The bacterial flagellum is a complex, self-assembling macromolecular machine that powers motility. It plays diverse roles in virulence, including aiding colonization and dissemination during infection. consists of filamentous structure protruding from the cell, basal body, large assembly spans cell envelope. body comprised over 20 different proteins forming several concentric ring structures, termed M- S- L- P- C-rings, respectively. In particular, MS rings are formed by single protein FliF,...
The type VII secretion system (T7SS) is found in many Gram-positive firmicutes and secretes protein toxins that mediate bacterial antagonism. Two T7SS have been identified Staphylococcus aureus , EsaD a nuclease toxin counteracted by the EsaG immunity protein, TspA, which has membrane depolarising activity neutralised TsaI. Both are polymorphic, strings of non-identical esaG tsaI genes encoded all S. strains. To investigate evolution repertoires, we analysed sequences tandem their proteins....
Abstract Bacteria have evolved a broad range of systems that provide defence against their viral predators, bacteriophages. Bacteriophage Exclusion (BREX) recognise and methylate 6 bp non-palindromic motifs within the host genome, prevent replication non-methylated phage DNA encodes these same motifs. How BREX recognises cognate has not been fully understood. In this study we characterise from pathogenic Salmonella present X-ray crystallographic structures conserved protein, PglX. The PglX...
ABSTRACT Competitive bacteria-bacteriophage interactions have resulted in the evolution of a plethora bacterial defense systems preventing phage propagation. In recent years, computational and bioinformatic approaches underpinned discovery numerous novel systems. Anti-phage are frequently encoded together genomic loci termed islands. Here we report identification characterisation anti-phage system, which Shield, that forms part Pseudomonas defensive arsenal. The Shield system comprises...
RN6390 is a commonly used laboratory strain of Staphylococcus aureus derived from NCTC8325. In this study, we sequenced the genome and compared it to available sequences for We confirmed that three prophages, Φ11, Φ12 Φ13, which are present in NCTC8325 absent RN6390, consistent with successive curing events leading generation strain. However, noted separate prophage not found Two have been deposited parental strain, Analysis revealed several differences between these sequences, particular,...
ABSTRACT The Type VII secretion system (T7SS) is found in many Gram-positive firmicutes and secretes protein toxins that mediate bacterial antagonism. Two T7SS have been identified Staphylococcus aureus , EsaD a nuclease toxin counteracted by the EsaG immunity protein, TspA, which has membrane depolarising activity neutralised TsaI. Both are polymorphic, strings of non-identical esaG tsaI genes encoded all S. strains. To investigate evolution repertoires, we analysed sequences tandem their...
SUMMARY Bacteria carry numerous anti-phage systems in ‘defence islands’ or hotspots. Recent studies have delineated the content and boundaries of these islands various species, revealing instances that encode additional factors, including antibiotic resistance, stress genes, Type VI Secretion System (T6SS)-dependent effectors, virulence factors. Our study identifies three defence Serratia genus with a mixed cargo systems, factors different types anti-bacterial modules, widespread trend...