VAAM-Jahrestagung 2012 18.–21. März in Tübingen

27transmembrane span connects via distinctlinker regions to the catalytic domain. Similardesigns of signaling proteins are histidinekinases of the two component systems andmethyl accepting chemotaxis proteins. Thechemotaxis receptor Tsr of E. coli is anchoredby two transmembrane spans. It has aperiplasmic domain which senses serine. Onthe cytoplasmic side a ubiquitous signaltransducingelement (HAMP domain; >14,000data base entries) connects to the outputdomain. In chimeras with the Tsr receptorand various adenylyl cyclases serine regulatescyclase activity. Such chimeras are suitablefor examination of individual domainsand their interplay in intramolecular signalling.Thus, we investigate in vitro and invivo the mechanism of signaling through theHAMP domain and through a subsequentlinker, termed S-helix, which connects to theoutput cyclase. The sign of the cytoplasmicsignal, cyclase inhibition or activation, may becontrolled by the S-helix. In an experimentalextension, we attempt to understand the workingsof strings of HAMP domains, e.g. a tandemHAMP from Natronomonas pharaoni.SFB 766: The Bacterial Cell Envelope:Structure, Function and InfectionInterfaceSpeaker: Wolfgang Wohlleben, TübingenThe Collaborative Research Center 766 (SFB766) was initiated in 2007 and was recentlyextended until 2015. In 21 projects the interdisciplinarynetwork of researchers aims togain a more in-depth understanding of thestructure and biosynthesis of the bacterial cellenvelope and its interactions with the en -vironment. The projects are carried out at va -rious departments of the Faculty of Sciences,the University Hospital and at the Max-Planck-Institute of Developmental Bio logy.The bacterial cell envelope has a decisivefunction in basic bacterial processes such asmorphogenesis, uptake and secretion, sensitivityor resistance towards antimicrobialagents, as well as in microbe-host interactionsincluding bacterial adherence, immune recognitionand evasion. Research in the SFB766 isdedicated to expanding our understanding ofthe structure, function, and the biosynthesisof the bacterial cell envelope and its interactionwith mammalian or plant hosts or withbacteriophages.The investigation of these questions isorganized in two tightly integrated SectionsA and B. Central subject in Section A is thesynthesis, turnover and chemical composi-Scheme of the enhanced concept of the SFB766.tion of peptidoglycan, lipids, and polysaccharidesin Gram-positive bacteria. In addition,transport of molecules (such as DNAand antibiotics) and transduction of signalsacross the cell wall are studied. Moreover,the interactions of the cell envelope with theenvironment are investigated. These studiesprovide crucial insights into the structureand function of the bacterial cell wall. SectionB addresses the role of individual componentsof the bacterial cell envelope inmicrobe-host interaction in bacterial colonizationand infection. A particular emphasisis put on proteins of the bacterial surface thatinteract with eukaryotic host cells as well ason the recognition of envelope components bythe immune systems of human, murine andplant cells.The interdisciplinary consortium characterizesthe cell wall with a combination ofmethods including cellular microbiology,structural biology, molecular genetics, biochemistryand bioinformatics. The results willenhance our understanding of bacterial physiologyand pathogenicity and contribute tothe identification of new antimicrobial agents,vaccines and diagnostics aiming to the developmentof new preventive and curative healthcare strategies.Research Training Group (Graduiertenkolleg)1708: Molecular principles ofbacterial survival strategiesSpeaker: Karl Forchhammer, TübingenThe new research training group “Molecularprinciples of bacterial survival strategies”,granted by the DFG in 2011, will be launchedin April 2012. It addresses the question, howbacteria maintain viability in a hostile environment.Bacteria grow exponentially onlyunder optimal conditions. But in many habitats,they are exposed to adverse conditions,arresting their growth or challenging theirviability. This selective pressure throughoutevolution resulted in the acquisition of elaboratedstrategies to withstand and overcomeunfavourable conditions. These processes aretherefore fundamental for bacteria to protecttheir niches and colonize new habitats, anissue of highest relevance in bacterial ecology,physiology and medicine, e.g. for understandingthe dispersal of bacterial pathogensand for the development of new antimicrobialdrugs. 13 projects are devoted to the investigationof bacterial survival strategies involvingmaintenance-metabolism, detoxification,repair pathways and protective substancesand structures. The research training groupprovides a new interdisciplinary researchplatform for fundamental microbiolocialresearch in Tübingen. Groups from the IMIT(Interfaculty Institute for Microbiology andInfection Medicine Tübingen), from Geo -microbiology, from the Organic Chemistryand the Max-Planck Institute for DevelopmentalBiology contribute to the program. Anaccompanying study program shall mediateexpert knowledge as well as professionalskills, establishing the research traininggroup as a central part of the PhD trainingwithin the priority cluster “Microbiology andInfection Biology” of the University Tübingenand the University Medical Centre.Transregional Collaborative ResearchCentre 34Pathophysiology of staphylococci in thepost-genomic eraSpeaker: Michael Hecker, GreifswaldDeputy Coordinator: Friedrich Götz, TübingenFive microbiologists and biochemists fromTübingen (Götz, Peschel, Stehle,Weidenmaier,and Wolz) are members of the TransregionalCollaborative Research Centre 34: „Pathophysiologyof staphylococci in the post-genomicera“. Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Michael Hecker,Institut für Mikrobiologie, Universität Greifs -wald. Besides Greifswald and Tübingen,groups of the Universities Münster andWürzburg are also involved. While the knowledgeof bacterial genomes is rapidly increasing,the increasing gap in understanding ofphysiology, virulence or host-pathogen interactionis lagging. The aim of the TR-SFB is tofill this gap of knowledge by transferring theexpertise in proteomics, metabolomics, structuralgenomics and bioinformatics to thegroups more specialized in physiology, geneticsand infection biology of staphylococci. In aconcerted effort we want to breath more lifeinto the genome sequences.óBIOspektrum | Tagungsband 2012