Randall seminar: Structure and mechanism of bacterial nano-machines

Speaker:  Dr Julien Bergeron, Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield

Structure and mechanism of bacterial nano-machines

Abstract:

Protein nano-machines are large macromolecular assemblies that perform a mechanical function, such as rotation (bacterial flagellum, ATP synthase), extension/contraction (cytoskeleton elements, pili) or macromolecular transport (secretion systems). Bacteria, in particular, have developed a wide range of complex nano-machines to perform various functions, including interaction with hosts, and adaptation to extreme environments.

We used cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), combined with other structural, biophysical and protein engineering methods, to decipher the structure of these assemblies. Our goal is to exploit this information to understand their mechanism of action, towards therapeutic and/or biotechnology applications.

I will present some of our recent results on two projects: a structural and biochemical characterization of the bacterial flagellum, and our recent structure of an ABC transporter responsible for the transport of lipids into the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria.

Host: Mark Sanderson