Application of high-resolution phosphoproteomics to reveal novel metabolic control mechanisms in Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of food-borne gastroenteritis in
the western world. Human infections result from consumption of contaminated
chicken and the incidence has increased in recent years, including the
emergence of multi-drug resistant campylobacters. New interventions are
needed to reduce the numbers of the bacteria in the food-chain. We know that
may essential proteins in bacteria are controlled by covalent modifications to
their structure. This project will seek to understand the role of protein
phosphorylation in the regulation of metabolism of C. jejuni using cutting-edge
proteomics analyses employing high-resolution mass spectrometry combined
with biochemical analysis of protein function. Our approach may allow the
identification of new targets for anti-microbial drugs or other interventions to
reduce the burden of Campylobacteriosis. This interdisciplinary project will
provide training in molecular microbiological techniques including mutant
construction and global protein expression analysis, as well as the application of
proteomic techniques to an important biological problem.