Mechanism of biofilm formation by uropatogenic E. coli producing fimbrial adhesin Dr - studies of proteome and metabolome changes under static and dynamic culture conditions - Project - Bridge of Knowledge

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Mechanism of biofilm formation by uropatogenic E. coli producing fimbrial adhesin Dr - studies of proteome and metabolome changes under static and dynamic culture conditions

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common in the human population. Annually, they affect 150 million people around the world, generating very high medical costs. Over 50% of women experience UTIs at least once in their lives, and 30% of them are recurrent infections. 80-90% of UTI cases are caused by uropathogenic E. coli strains (UPECs). Research shows that the biofilm formation capacity is demonstrated by over 60% of clinical UPEC isolates and is a very important virulence factor. One of the UPEC strains that has been researched since the 1980s is UPEC IH11128, which causes, among others, cystitis in children and pyelonephritis in pregnant women. A characteristic feature of this strain is the ability to produce Dr adhesive structures. Due to these structures, bacteria specifically recognize receptor proteins on the surface of the bladder epithelium and can cause urinary tract infections. Because of the biological role of the main receptor protein, its concentration is physiologically increased in pregnant women. This makes this group of persons particularly susceptible to infections caused by the UPEC strains that produce Dr fimbriae. The aim of this project is to understand the structure and mechanism of biofilm formation by the UPEC IH11128. It is planned to use advanced research methods, such as: immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy or mass spectrometry, in relation to the metabolome and proteome of bacteria. From a scientific point of view, it is particularly important to answer the question whether and how the ability to produce Dr fimbriae predisposes bacteria to form biofilm structure. Together with the results of previous studies, the data from the proposed project will allow the determination of a more complete model of the pathogenesis of UTIs caused by the UPEC IH11128. In the future, this model will allow for the rational design of new, effective drugs targeting uropathogenic strains of E. coli, which is so important in the era of rapidly growing antibiotic resistance observed in the bacterial world.

Details

Project's acronym:
OPUS21
Financial Program Name:
OPUS
Organization:
Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN) (National Science Centre)
Agreement:
UMO-2021/41/B/NZ6/03088 z dnia 2021-11-26
Realisation period:
2022-01-12 - 2026-01-11
Project manager:
dr hab. inż. Rafał Piątek
Team members:
Realised in:
Sekcja Finansowa Wydz. Chemiczny
External institutions
participating in project:
  • Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny (Poland)
Project's value:
1 661 560.00 PLN
Request type:
National Research Programmes
Domestic:
Domestic project
Verified by:
Gdańsk University of Technology

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