New work from the Cava group provides novel insights into the genetics and physiology behind the peptidoglycan-recycling pathway

Most bacteria are surrounded by a protective cell wall consisting of a strong yet elastic polymer called peptidoglycan. The peptidoglycan cell wall is an essential structure for bacteria and thus, its biosynthesis and remodeling have always been in the spotlight when it comes to the development of antibiotics.

During bacterial growth, large amount of peptidoglycan fragments (also known as muropeptides) are released to the extracellular environment where they play roles in bacteria-bacteria and bacteria-host communication. However, in many species these fragments are predominantly re-internalized and recycled, a cellular process whose biological meaning has been elusive until now. 
Felipe Cava's research group at the Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS) studied the genetics and physiology behind the peptidoglycan-recycling pathway using as experimental model the causative agent of cholera, Vibrio cholerae. The study was performed in collaboration with Tobias Dörr (Cornell University, USA) and Matthew K. Waldor (Harvard Medical School, USA) and the results have been published in the journal Cell Reports on 28th April.
The scientists have revealed an unnoticed link between PG recycling and synthesis to promote optimal cell wall assembly and composition.

Read more: New work from the Cava group provides novel insights into the genetics and physiology behind the...

Congratulations to Nordic EMBL Partnership for awarded NordForsk funding!

Grant awarded as part of Nordic Research Infrastructure Hubs call

The Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, in which MIMS serves as the Swedish node, has been awarded 2.5 million NOK by NordForsk as part of their ‘Nordic Research Infrastructure Hubs’ initiative. The decision came after review by an international expert panel, who rated the Nordic EMBL Partnership’s application as “outstanding”.

Today, the Partnership serves as an exchange platform for students, postdocs, group leaders and support personnel to transform their working environments and career development. The current hub program will further realise this potential.

Read more: Congratulations to Nordic EMBL Partnership for awarded NordForsk funding!

Breakthrough in Malaria Research published in the Journal Cell

[2019-11-14] An international research consortium published in today's issue of Cell about their newest breakthrough in malaria research.The group discovered hundreds of genes that are required for efficient parasite transmission to mosquitoes through the liver.

"To identify seven metabolic pathways that are essential to a Plasmodium parasite’s ability to reproduce in the host liver is incredibly exciting. Our findings will allow malaria researchers worldwide to focus on these essential genes, in order to develop efficient drugs and vaccines to help tackle malaria", Ellen Bushell commented in the interview with Umeå University's communication office.

Read more: Breakthrough in Malaria Research published in the Journal Cell

Targeted Gene Modification in Animal Pathogenic Chlamydia

[2019-11-07] Researchers at Umeå University (Sweden), in collaboration with researchers at the University of Maryland and Duke University (USA), now for the first time successfully performed targeted gene mutation in the zoonotic pathogen Chlamydia caviae.

The human pathogenic bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen worldwide. It is estimated to infect more than 100 million people each year and is a frequent cause of infertility. Moreover, Chlamydia trachomatis also causes eye infections and represents the most frequent infectious cause of blindness in developing areas of the world.

Less widely known is that Chlamydia affects not only humans, but also animals. By causing disease in farm animals, such as in cows, sheep, pigs and chicken, Chlamydia can cause significant economic damage. Moreover, Chlamydia also infects pet animals, such as cats, guinea pigs, and parrots. While the Chlamydia species that infect animals are biologically different from the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, some animal pathogenic Chlamydia can occasionally also infect humans. These zoonotic infections in which the bacteria are transmitted from an infected animal to a human can be severe and life-threatening.

In a collaborative study published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers from the University of Maryland Baltimore (USA), Duke University (USA), and Umeå University (Sweden), joined forces to adapt a novel genetic tool for zoonotic Chlamydia.

Read more: Targeted Gene Modification in Animal Pathogenic Chlamydia

Welcome to the UCMR DAY 2020!

Get an update on research within the university's Linnaeus Centre of Excellence in life sciences, The Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR)!

All scientists and staff members within UCMR, collaboration partners and researchers with an interest in life sciences are invited to a day of inspiring research presentations and an excellent opportunity for networking and initiation of multidisciplinary collaborations.

Date: Thursday 23^rd of January 2020

Venue: Aula Nordica
More information and Programme will be found on:

www.ucmr.umu.se

IMPORTANT: To encourage interactions and provide an overview of the broad spectrum of research activities within UCMR the majority of the talks will be selected from the submitted abstracts.

Link to the registration form!

For questions concerning the organisation of the UCMR Day, please contact the organising committee:

Teresa Frisan, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Constantin Urban, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Yaowen Wu, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.