Abstract
With this project, we aim to determine how membrane-targetting antimicrobials such as complement proteins and antimicrobial peptides kill bacteria by degradation of the bacterial cell envelope. Our approach will be based on recent advances in atomic force microscopy in Hoogenboom’s lab, which now enable us to monitor – at nanometre resolution and in real time – surface structure and mechanics of bacterial surfaces under attack by anti-bacterial proteins, while simultaneously verifying bacterial killing using fluorescence-based live-dead staining. By understanding how our immune system kills bacteria, we will provide guidance for the development of new therapies to overcome antimicrobial resistance.
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