Elucidating the function of the A-Q Complex during Bacillus subtilis sporulation

Bacterial sporulation, a process triggered by environmental stress or nutrient deprivation, leads to the formation of highly resilient endospores (spores) by some members of the phylum Firmicutes, such as the human pathogens Bacillus anthracis and Clostridioides difficile, and insect pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. The resilience of spores is demonstrated by their ability to survive desiccation, chemical disinfection, UV radiation and extreme temperatures, while their metabolic inactivity makes them inert to antibiotics. Sporulation is a complex process involving hundreds of genes. One of the most highly conserved set of genes required for sporulation, encodes an enigmatic membrane complex that is essential for spore development. While research over the past 20 years has advanced our understanding of this complex, little is known about its exact function and overall structural architecture. In this project, using a combination of cell biology, genetic and structural biology approaches, we seek to understand how this complex contributes to spore physiology and determine aspects of its structural architecture. Given the essential nature of this complex, this research will provide knowledge that can inform avenues for the control of sporulation in biotech and healthcare.