Multidrug resistance and its regulation in Enterococcus faecalis
PhD ceremony: Mr. M. Tariq, 11.00 uur, Aula Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Dissertation: Multidrug resistance and its regulation in Enterococcus faecalis
Promotor(s): prof. J. Kok
Faculty: Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Prevention and eradication of infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria are among the major public health challenges of the 21st century. The opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus faecalis is a leading cause of hospital-acquired, sometimes life-threatening, infections associated with lengthened hospital stays. The thesis of Muhammad Tariq shows that the ABC-type MDR system EmrCD is responsible for MDR in E. faecalis. EmrR has been investigated with respect to the regulation of the emrCD genes. In E. faecalis wild-type emrR and emrCD are transcribed during the logarithmic phase of growth, independent of drug presence. EmrR activates the transcription of emrCD and when drug molecules are present in the environment and enter the cell, they are subsequently extruded from the cells by the EmrCD transporter. Biofilms are important with respect to drug resistance as the dense matrix seems to have a role in protecting the cells from antimicrobial agents. Heterogeneity in the presence of the endocarditis and biofilm-associated Ebp pili has been correlated to that in cell surface charge. Tariq shows also that cells with pili are less negative than non-pilated cells and that cultures homogenous for pilus presence or absence were also homogenous for zeta potential. Several genes for cell-surface and regulatory proteins that are relevant in E. faecalis infection, such as adhesion, resistance to immune response, colonisation, and signalling were identified in the ERA-net Pathogenomics programme, as described inthe Addendum. Tariqs thesis offers a roadmap for future research on enterococci that could contribute to selection of potential targets for preventive and therapeutic anti-enterococcal regimens.
Last modified: | 13 March 2020 01.10 a.m. |
More news
-
17 July 2024
Veni-grants for ten researchers in Groningen
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded a Veni grant of up to €320,000 each to ten researchers of the University of Groningen and the UMCG. The Veni grants are designed for outstanding researchers who have recently gained a PhD.
-
15 July 2024
Funding for RUG researchers from National Growth Fund programme Circular Plastics NL
For research on making plastics circular, Professors Patrizio Raffa and Katja Loos together receive about 1.2 million euros from the National Growth Fund programme Circular Plastics NL.
-
09 July 2024
NWO Open Technology funding for improving quality 3D printing technology
Dr. Liangliang Cheng receives a NWO OPT grant of EUR 950,000 for research on safer application of metals in 3D printing technology.