PhD project to be confirmed on completion of the training year

This project explores the predatory interactions between the ultra-small bacterium Candidatus Mycosynbacter amalyticus and species related to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here, we will focus on the mechanisms by which Mycosynbacter amalyticus subverts, manipulates and consumes its host prey. The specifics of these interactions remain largely unexplored. We aim to identify novel proteins produced by Candidatus Mycosynbacter amalyticus that facilitate its predation on mycobacteria, utilizing a high-throughput, systems-biology approach. This includes a genome-wide screen to uncover relevant enzymes and effector proteins involved in degrading the mycobacterial cell wall and manipulation of the host cell. The resulting proteins will be characterized through advanced molecular biology, biochemistry, and structural biology techniques. We also aim to isolate and culture new TM7 bacteria that are specific for mycobacterial species. This research not only enhances our understanding of these unique microorganisms but also contributes to strategies for addressing mycobacterial diseases such as nocardiosis and tuberculosis.