All Categories - Train2Target

Publication on β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM)

7/12/2020

The ESR Raquel Rodríguez-Alonso just published a paper on how lipoprotein-β-barrel complexes are formed.

The crystal structure of the key BAM component BamA in complex with RcsF was reported.

BamA adopts an inward-open conformation, with the lateral gate to the membrane closed. RcsF is lodged deep within the lumen of the BamA barrel, binding regions proposed to undergo outward and lateral opening during OMP insertion.

On the basis of their structural and biochemical data, the authors proposed a push-and-pull model for RcsF export following conformational cycling of BamA, and provided a mechanistic explanation for how RcsF uses its interaction with BamA to detect envelope stress. Moreover, it was also suggested that the flux of incoming OMP substrates is involved in the control of BAM activity.

More info: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-020-0575-0

Publication on Lipopolysaccharide assembly machinery (Lpt)

7/7/2020

The ESRs Elisabete Moura and Tiago Baeta just published a paper on how Thanatin impairs the Lipopolysaccharide Transport Complex Assembly by Targeting LptC-LptA interaction.

Thanatin is a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide reported to cause defects in membrane assembly and demonstrated in vitro to bind to the N-terminal β-strand of LptA. Since this region is involved in both LptA dimerization and interaction with LptC, the mechanism of inhibition of thanatin was studied to discriminate whether its antibacterial effect is exerted by the disruption of the interaction of LptA with itself or with LptC.

For this purpose, the Bacterial Adenylate Cyclase Two-Hybrid (BACTH) system was implemented to probe in vivo the Lpt interactome in the periplasm.

It was found that thanatin targets both LptC–LptA and LptA–LptA interactions, with a greater inhibitory effect on the former. The disruption of LptC–LptA interaction was confirmed in vitro using two different biophysical techniques. In cells treated with thanatin, LptA undergoes degradation and LPS decorated with colanic acid accumulates. These data further support inhibition or disruption of Lpt complex assembly as the main killing mechanism of thanatin against Gram-negative bacteria.

All the info: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00909/full

Carina obtains her PhD in Microbiology!!

7/3/2020

Carina Matias is the first PhD student of the T2T network to become a doctor in Microbiology.

She has been working in UNION Therapeutics in Denmark for three years and finally defended her thesis "Antibiotic Drug Development" at Danish Technical University, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability.

It makes us very happy to watch you chase your dreams!

Congratulations Carina!!

1-week secondment at AiCuris, Wuppertal (Germany)

12/20/2019

Matthias, Federico and Arancha at AiCuris

In November, we, Matthias (ESR8) and Federico (ESR14), had the possibility to spend a week at AiCuris, one of our consortium partners and host of Arancha (ESR13).

During our stay in the lovely city of Wuppertal we not only had the chance to ride the famous Schwebebahn across the industrial area of Bayer and to visit a traditional German Christmas market, but we participated in a workshop about Project Management, Leadership, Teamwork, Drug Discovery and Legal implications of contracts and agreements. Among the practical activities, an introduction to advanced Excel functions was also included, which is very useful for data analysis and of particular interest for young scientists in training.

Fête de la Science

11/5/2019

One the members of our network The Institute of Structural Biology (IBS-CNRS) host the event “Fête de la Science” between the 5-13 October 2019.

The objective of the event was to invite high school students to discover today's science through a series of conferences and training activities.

The nmr group of the IBS-CNRS made a workshop to familiarize with the technique Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and its role on the characterization biomolecules' structures and dynamics (proteins, nucleic acids, sugars).

Among the numerous people that made this activity possible, Pilar Garcia-Vello (ESR10) contributed to this event.

This activity as part of the Open Lab Days dissemination activities of the Train2Target network

More info:https://www.fetedelascience-aura.com/isere/

New LinkedIn Group!

10/28/2019

We now have a LinkedIn group to share Train2Target relevant information and outcomes:

- information about microbiology in general. With specific focus on gram negative and their outer membrane structures

- particulars about T2T network, the ESR, PIs and beneficiaries

- news related to academy and industry

- opportunities that may be interesting for the group members

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8847995/

Train2Target Annual Meeting 2019 - Grenoble, France

10/14/2019

Tomorrow starts the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Train2Target network.
Students and researchers have spent the last hours travelling to Grenoble, in the heart of the French Alps, for another gathering and discussion of the latest results that they've got.

This year, we have as invited speakers Hans-Georg Sahl (U. Bonn), Joen Luirink (VU-NL), André Zapun (IBS), and from our ITN Cuong Vuong (AiCuris) and Paola Sperandeo (UNIMI).

We expect the meeting to be a great success!

The Great (poster of the ESR in the) Wall in Paris - 2019

10/14/2019

Carlos, Arancha, Elisa and Tiago had some posters presented during the meeting.
It was an amazing chance to discuss their research topics with scientists and students from all over the world.

The Great Wall Symposium 2019 (Paris)

9/8/2019

The next Greath Wall Symposium is approaching fast. Between 25 and 27th of September, it will take place in the Pasteur Institute (Paris) one of the biggest gatherings of scientists and researchers in bacterial cell wall topics.

Some ESRs will attend, among these Carlos and Tiago.

For more informations, go to the oficial website of the event: https://thegreatwall-symposium.org/

And don't forget to follow us on our social media platforms for more updates and news.

#Science4All #MSCA #CellWall

Next Train2Target Annual Meeting (2019)

9/8/2019

The dates are set, flight tickets and hotels booked. The next anual meeting of the Train2Target network will take place in the EPN campus, in Grenoble, between 16 and 18 of October 2019.

Another opportunity to reconnect and network with colleagues, friends and share the recente updates on the ESR's projects.

Follow us on our social media platforms to follow the updates.