Modifications of the cell surface that allow bacteria to evade the host immune system

ITQB PhD SEMINAR

Title: Modifications of the cell surface that allow bacteria to evade the host immune system

Speaker: Magda Atilano

Laboratory: Bacterial Cell Surfaces and Pathogenesis, ITQB

Abstract

Peptidoglycan (PG) is an essential and specific component of the bacterial cell surface. PG is often regarded as a static structure when in fact it is a dynamic and strongly regulated biopolymer that is continuously remodeled to allow bacterial cell growth and division. The thick PG layer of Gram-positive bacteria consists of glycan chains cross-linked by short peptides and is further modified by the presence of anionic polymers, such as teichoic acids, and o-acetyl groups and by secondary crosslinking. Modifications of PG confer resistance to cell wall hydrolases and could also represent a mechanism by which bacteria can survive the host immune system.
We are interested in understanding how the pathogenic bacteria Staphyloccocus aureus modulates its PG composition and metabolism to evade detection by the host immune system.

Short CV
2004 - Graduated in Biochemistry from Universidade da Beira Interior
2005/2006 – Research student in the Bacterial Cell Surfaces and Pathogenesis Lab (ITQB)
2007 – Started PhD in the Bacterial Cell Surfaces and Pathogenesis Lab (ITQB) under the supervision of Dr. Sérgio Filipe