2003 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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University College Cork
Claire Adams, John Morissey & Fergal O'Gara
Bacterial-host interactions: the fight for survival!
Recently the BIOMERIT Research Centre (BRC), directed by Professor Fergal O'Gara and located in the Microbiology Department and Biosciences Institute at UCC, has been successful in securing funding from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to investigate the nature of Molecular Signalling in Microbial-Host Interactions.

Within the BRC, a team of post doctoral and post graduate scientists, in association with a number of national and international collaborators, work together on the core thematic area of microbial-host interactions. This encompasses a number of related research programmes: (i) Functional Genomics of Prokaryotes, (ii) Environmental Biotechnology, and (iii) Biomedical Research. The major focus is on both fundamental and applied issues, such as the chemical nature of microbial and host signals, the signal transduction and genetic regulatory pathways controlling their production, and the molecular and physiological impact of these signals on target organisms. The proposed SFI funded research is aimed at utilising an Integrated Systems Biology approach, in the form of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, to establish how environmentally-regulated bacterial signals and signalling between bacteria and human cells influence gene expression, life-cycle and virulence in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.


In general terms, when a pathogenic bacteria infects a human host a series of physical and chemical events occur that basically result in a battle for survival. These events happen in response to cross communication or signalling between the bacteria and the host (see figure). On sensing the invading organism, the host initiates an immune response to try to eliminate the bacteria. The bacteria on the other hand devise mechanisms, termed virulence determinants, to evade the immune system and gain nutrients to survive and multiply. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen causing serious infections in immuno-compromised patients and is the most important factor contributing to chronic lung infection and mortality in cystic fibrosis. P. aeruginosa produces several virulence determinants in response to environmental signals and forms protective biofilms consisting of bacterial communities that are resistant to host defences and antibiotic therapies.

In our research programme, the role of signal molecule production by Pseudomonas species is being studied, with an emphasis on novel genes and pathways that have been identified in the BRC. The importance of signalling between host cells and P. aeruginosa is also being explored. Ultimately, new target areas for the development of novel anti-microbial therapies may be identified.

Contact: Prof. Fergal O'Gara, Director, BIOMERIT Research Centre, Microbiology Department,
National University of Ireland, Cork (UCC);
E-mail: [email protected]