Hybrid Structural Methods to Probe Atomic Features of The Type III Secretion Injectisome of Pathogenic Bacteria

Dr. Natalie Strynadka
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of British Columbia

Abstract:
Bacteria have evolved several sophisticated assemblies to transport proteins across their biological membrane, including those required specifically for pathogenicity. Recent advances in our understanding of the molecular details governing the molecular action of these protein secretion systems has benefited from an integrated x-ray crystallography, NMR, mass-spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and molecular modeling toolbox. Highlights of recent advances in our piece wise structure/function analysis of the multi-membrane spanning Type III Secretion system “injectisome” will be presented. A molecular understanding of the Type III systems being garnered from these studies provides the foundation for development of new classes of antibacterials and vaccines to combat infection in the clinic and community.

You can find the poster for this presentation here