"Cell Envelope Elongation in Gram Negative Bacteria."
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Warwick
Department Name: School of Life Sciences
Abstract
This PhD project aims to increase knowledge of a complex of proteins found in Gram-Negative bacteria responsible for cell elongation and rod shape, known as the elongasome. This complex is primarily responsible for the biosynthesis of an extracellular polymer called peptidoglycan that provides strength, rigidity and shape to all bacterial cells. Previously we have thought of these cellular structures in isolation, but the peptidoglycan polymer is found between the bacteria inner and outer membranes and it's biosynthesis must be coordinated with the formation of these structures as well. In this project we will explore the connection and coordination of peptidoglycan biosynthesis with phospholipid balance systems of Gram-Negative bacteria, to understand the biological function of these complexes in the context of overall cell envelope elongation. The expansion of these topics hopes to contribute to a coherent theory for membrane-peptidoglycan synthesis regulation during cell growth.
This PhD aims to expand the knowledge of both systems in the context of in vivo cell envelopes, to see how these systems might interact and enable the cell envelope to grow without membrane disruption or disorganisation, caused by disfunction of membrane-peptidoglycan growth synchronisation.
This PhD aims to expand the knowledge of both systems in the context of in vivo cell envelopes, to see how these systems might interact and enable the cell envelope to grow without membrane disruption or disorganisation, caused by disfunction of membrane-peptidoglycan growth synchronisation.
People |
ORCID iD |
David Ian Roper (Primary Supervisor) | |
Christopher Graham (Student) |
Publications
Graham CLB
(2021)
A Dynamic Network of Proteins Facilitate Cell Envelope Biogenesis in Gram-Negative Bacteria.
in International journal of molecular sciences
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M01116X/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
2097310 | Studentship | BB/M01116X/1 | 30/09/2018 | 30/03/2023 | Christopher Graham |
Description | A review paper has been finished, and is in the process of publication- on the peptidoglycan network of interactions A paper on Waal Ligase and its relation to RodAPBP2 was realised thanks to co-evolution. The mechanism of action for RodAPBP2 is now understood by the team, pending writing and publication A new assay for Lytic transglycosylase activity has been produced. |
Exploitation Route | I will continue |
Sectors | Chemicals Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | Maintaining cell wall integrity in Gram-Negative Bacteria |
Amount | £11,645 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/T014717/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2020 |
End | 03/2022 |
Description | Filippo Mancia Cryo-Electron Microscopy Lab |
Organisation | Columbia University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Mutants, and activity testing of RodA-PBP2, structural realisation of RodAPBP2. Theoretical and project guidance on Waal Nature paper. Theoretical and project guidance of RodA-PBP2 paper |
Collaborator Contribution | Cryo-electron structure of Waal. |
Impact | A paper on Waal the O antigen Ligase |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Outer membrane protein Pseudomonas fluorescence Lori Burrows |
Organisation | McMaster University |
Department | Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Creating new theory on outer membrane peptidoglycan interaction, created 6 incredibly intricate vectors for fluorescent visualisation in pseudomonas. Applied to and achieved grant |
Collaborator Contribution | Visualisation of fluorescence, and pseudomonas knowledge. |
Impact | New Grant, new research field. |
Start Year | 2020 |