The effective defence of bacterial pathogens requires an interaction of different cells of the immune system. Macrophages are one of the body's first line of defence against invading bacteria by actively taking up and then destroying them. However, some bacteria are able to bypass phagocytosis. The lack of regulatory proteins can lead to an uncontrolled spread of bacteria in the body. By switching off certain genes, we try to stimulate the immune system to resume the fight against bacteria.
Every year around 23 million cases of infection with Salmonella are reported worldwide. 1-6% of these become asymptomatic carriers and thus form a constant reservoir. The intracellular agent Salmonella enterica can cause a severe, often fatal infection in humans. Salmonella enterica is a gram-negative bacterium that is taken up by contaminated food and transmitted from person to person.
The goal of this project is to explore the molecular mechanisms that lead to inhibition of the genes that favor infection. We want to examine in detail how Salmonella stimulates genes that facilitate the spread of the bacteria itself. As a result, we expect important insights into the mechanisms and processes that regulate susceptibility to a globally significant infectious disease.
