Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of retrons in anti-phage defense

• Applicant: Dr. Jens Hör
• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms ; Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
• Term: from 2021 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 466645764

Retrons are wide-spread genetic elements that were recently shown to protect bacteria against infection by phages, which are viruses that infect bacteria. They do so by causing a phage-infected bacterium to commit suicide before it can produce infectious phage particles, which effectively prevents spreading of the virus. This protective mechanism is known as abortive infection and is also employed by several other bacterial anti-phage defense systems. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of retron-induced protection remains unknown. In order to elucidate how retrons are activated during phage infection and how they induce abortive infection, I will conduct my postdoctoral research in the group of Prof. Rotem Sorek at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. This project will provide important knowledge on the interplay between bacteria and their viruses and further could contribute to the improvement of biotechnological applications of retrons such as genome editing.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: Israel
• Host: Professor Rotem Sorek, Ph.D.