A group of bacteria called Neisseria cause human-specific infections. To initiate infection, the bacteria must produce a hair-like surface structure, the pilus. The pilus consists mainly of a protein called pilin, and we now understand how pilin production is controlled. However 20 other genes are also involved in pilus production. This project aims to understand how these other genes are controlled and coordinated to assemble this structure that is central to the ability to cause disease.
Characterisation Of Antigenic Variation Of Neisserial Cell Surface Adhesins, And Their Role In Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,983.00
Summary
A group of bacteria called Neisseria cause human-specific infections. They produce two types of surface proteins termed adhesins, which allow the bacteria to adhere to, and invade, human cells. There is circumstantial evidence to suggest the bacteria can rapidly vary the structure of these adhesins, even within a single infection. This project will determine whether, and how, this variation is occurring, and what effect it has on the ability of the bacteria to cause disease.