Composition and function of Vibrio cholerae biofilms on human macrophages

• Applicant: Professor Knut Drescher, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology ; Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens ; Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2020 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 442780977

Cholera is a devastating diarrheal disease, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Although V. cholerae induces an inflammatory response during infection, it is currently unclear how V. cholerae cells interact with the innate immune system. Focusing on the interaction of V. cholerae with macrophages, we discovered a surprising interaction process in preliminary work: V. cholerae cells form biofilms on the surface of macrophages, followed by macrophage death. In the proposed project, we will determine the key mechanisms underlying the formation, matrix composition, and function of biofilms on macrophages, and how macrophage death occurs during the interaction with V. cholerae. This project will provide a major new insight into the interaction mechanisms of V. cholerae with the human immune system.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Switzerland