Investigating C. difficile-host interactions in the gut

The gut pathogen Clostridium difficile is a major cause of gastrointestinal infections in humans and animals. It is the leading cause of diarrheoa in piglets in many parts of the world. In recent years it has become evident that animal reservoirs of this pathogen that are important for human infections. Colonisation of the gut is a key determinant of bacterial carriage and disease outcome, although little is known about bacterial or host factors modulating interactions between C. difficile and the gut epithelium. The goal of this work is to investigate basic pathways that control host-C. difficile interactions. Human in vitro systems will be utilised to determine genes important during C. difficile colonisation. The role of selected proteins in modulation of gut epithelial interactions and the local immune responses will be studied. Identification and functional analysis of proteins critical to C. difficile colonisation will enhance our understanding of the establishment of pathogen in this gut and lead to effective interventions for CDI.