The bacterial secreted combinome: Synergistic host injury by exotoxins of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (B04)

• Subject Area: Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
• Term: since 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 194468054

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) secrete a cocktail of exotoxins, which in concert breach the intestinal epithelial and endothelial barrier, and cause severe complications such as the hemolytic uremic syndrome. This project is aimed at unraveling the interplay of virulence factors of EHEC serotypes O157:H- and O104:H4 and the role that host factors play in this process. Understanding the interactions of the individual determinants could form the basis for developing preventive and specific therapeutic measures for EHEC infections.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1009: Breaking Barriers - Immune Cells and Pathogens at Cell/Matrix Barriers
• Applicant Institution: Universität Münster
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Alexander Mellmann