Genome Dynamics and Microbial Pathogenesis - Tønjum group
Post doc. Ole Herman Ambur
The stability of microbial genomes and gene pools are constantly challenged by horisontal gene transfer and recombination, as well as DNA damage. Mechanisms for rapid genome variation, adaptation and maintenance are a necessity to ensure microbial fitness and survival in rapidly changing environments (Trends Microbiol. 9:356-358, 2001). Studies on horisontal gene transfer and components providing genome maintenance in genetic model bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are therefore most important for understanding the balance between cellular fitness for survival and disease development (Trends Microbiol. 12, 1-4, 2004).
Projects:
- Meningococcal pilus biogenesis and DNA uptake in transformation. Characterisation of the structure-function relationships and interactions of components involved in the membrane transport of pili and DNA, as well as genome maintenance (Collins et al., J. Bacteriol. 183:3825-32, 2001; Collins et al., J. Bacteriol. 185:2611-7, 2003).
- The role of DNA uptake sequences (DUS) in transformation. We are using our combined expertise on evolutionary phylogeny, prokaryote cell physiology and comparative genomics to characterise the role of signature sequences such as DUS (Davidsen et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 32: 2004, in press). We are currently employing DUS as new tools to target novel DNA binding proteins.
Secretion and DNA uptake
