Microdiversity of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Reinhard Fischer, since 6/2009
• Subject Area: Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
• Term: from 2008 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 65246216

Currently, six species are assigned to the proteobacterial genus Stenotrophomonas, including the opportunistic pathogen S. maltophilia, but also strains with plant-growth promoting properties or strains of potential use in biotechnology. Stenotrophomonas strains are found ubiquitously distributed in the environment with regard to habitat and geography and display a high genetic diversity. The aim of the project is the detailed investigation of the environmental occurrence, abundance, and genetic as well as phenotypic microdiversity of S. maltophilia. Culture-dependent as well as culture-independent methods will be used to study its diversity and occurrence in the environment. The properties of environmental and clinical strains will be compared on the genetic as well as the phenotypic level, including the assessment of pathogenicity in a Dictyostelium disoideum host model. Main question is whether taxonomic subgroups within the species exist and if they display differences in pathogenicity. Subsequent detailed strain comparisons can then be used to reveal the molecular basis of S. maltophilia pathogenicity, thus contributing to the general knowledge of virulence in opportunistic pathogens.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Stephan Bathe, until 6/2009