Description:

Title:

Emerging Multi-drug Resistant Pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: New Functions for its Type IV Secretion System and Associated Substrates

Speaker: Brandi Cobe, Graduate Student / Cianciotto Lab

Host: Nicholas Cianciotto, PhD

Topic:

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (Sm) is a Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen that most commonly causes respiratory and bloodstream infections. Immunocompromised individuals are most susceptible, such as those with cystic fibrosis (CF), where infection can be fatal. We are focused on further understanding and uncovering virulence traits of Sm. Our lab previously uncovered that Sm has a multi-faceted type IV secretion system (T4SS). Specifically, its T4SS is involved in modulating cell death in lung epithelial cells and macrophages and killing competitor Gram-negative bacteria, including CF isolates of P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, two bona fide bactericidal T4SS effectors were identified. This work expands on these findings investigating the enzymatic function of T4SS effector TfcB, bacterial antagonism against Gram-positive S. aureus, and exploring a novel T4SS function that contributes to Sm's interaction with amoebae.