Laboratory of Infection Biology

Our laboratory focuses on understanding how bacteria cause disease. The research addresses molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlay bacterial virulence with special emphasis on type III effector proteins. The type III effector proteins are injected into the host cell by a bacterial syringe-like apparatus, known as a type III secretion system, in order to manipulate host cell signaling pathways and defense. We unravel how type III effector proteins act inside host cells and what are the details and functional consequences of their interactions and/or enzymatic activities.

Our model system are pathogenic Bordetella species that colonize the respiratory tract of mammals and cause respiratory infections. We aim to understand the molecular mechanism of action of BteA effector and its role in the pathogenesis of whooping cough disease caused by B. pertussis and B. parapertussis.

We also target the genus of aquatic Aeromonas. These bacteria encode various type III secretion effectors with yet undiscovered functions. We decode their role in the symbiosis of Aeromonas with the medicinal leech.

More information: www.kamanova-lab.com