DC5: Cell biology of integrin-adhesin interactions and the influence of adhesin variants on cell responses

In this project, the PhD candidate will study cell biological responses to adhesin-integrin interactions, and the influence of adhesin variants on cell responses. The candidate will investigate adhesin variants from K. pneumoniae, Enterobacter and other ESKAPE pathogen strains, focussing particularly on invasins. Interactions of adhesins and their variants with host cell integrins will be studied by cell adhesion assays and affinity assays. The candidate will elucidate how pathogen adhesin binding to integrins on the host cell regulate inflammatory responses, eg cell signalling, cytoskeletal organization, gene expression and functional responses in the cells. Main techniques to be used will be biochemical assays, microscopy, flow cytometry, qPCR and RNAseq approaches. This project will generate an understanding of how interactions between bacteria and their host cells regulate signalling and inflammation responses. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with both Academic and Industrial partners in the network through internships.