Probing the Role of Chemical Signalling in the Interplay of Gut Commensals, Pathogens, and their Phages (C09*)

• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms ; Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 239748522

When colonizing the human gut, Vibrio cholerae interacts with dozens of commensal microorganisms, their secreted molecules, and numerous phages. In this project, we will investigate the interplay of V. cholerae with microbial competitors in the gut, as well as how phages play into this process. We will focus our investigations on key mediators of collective behavior in V. cholerae and pinpoint their roles in other organisms. We expect that this project will allow us to better understand how microbial commensals and phages influence collective behaviours, such as virulence gene expression and biofilm formation, in the major human pathogen V. cholerae.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1127: Chemical Mediators in Complex Biosystems (ChemBioSys)
• Applicant Institution: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Kai Papenfort