Dynamics in bacterial flagellar systems

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Kai Thormann
• Subject Area: Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 199707781

All bacterial flagellar motors consist of two crucial components to convert an ion flux into rotational movement: the rotor complex and the stator units surrounding the rotor. Both stator ring and rotor complex are dynamic and exchange subunits during operation of the motor. Instead of a single rotor and stator system (1:1 ratio), numerous bacterial species possess additional sets of stators for a single rotor system (≥2:1 ratio) or a complete second flagellar system (2:2 stator/rotor ratio). The pro-posed study will use Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (≥2:1 stator/rotor ratio) and S. putrefaciens CN-32 (2:2 stator/rotor ratio) as model organisms to determine whether these species dynamically modify the flagellar motor composition by exchange of stator and rotor subunits to adjust its function according to the environmental conditions. We will apply a combination of genetic and single cell imaging, back focal plane interferometry and fluorescent microscopy on fluorescently labeled motor components. This study promises to provide fundamental new insights with respect to function, dynamics, and adaptation of molecular machines.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants