Functionality of CdrA and its processed forms within Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

项目总结/摘要 被称为生物膜的微生物群落是慢性感染的标志。铜绿假单胞菌是一种 用于生物膜研究，并且也是引起生物膜感染的病原体，包括烧伤、创伤、泌尿系统感染、 导管、隐形眼镜和囊性纤维化（CF）患者的气道。生物膜微生物被包裹在 一种网状细胞外基质，帮助细菌逃避宿主防御并抵御外部攻击 例如抗微生物处理。更好地了解生物膜基质组装是必要的，以提高 预防和治疗与生物膜有关的感染。本申请的长期目标和候选人， 博士Reichhardt，是建立一个独立的研究计划，重点是性质和功能的影响， 生物膜中的分子间相互作用。为了实现这一目标，Reichhardt博士的直接职业目标是 获得一个独立的教师职位使用拟议的研究作为她的工作申请的基础。 本申请的总体研究目标是调查矩阵相互作用的灵活性和控制 铜绿假单胞菌的关键蛋白质CdrA基于初步数据，假设生物膜功能 可以通过酶促加工和与宿主因子结合来扩增，从而影响生物膜稳定性。 为了检验这一假设，提出了两个具体的目标，并将使用Reichhardt博士的独特的研究。 生物物理化学和微生物学的多学科培训。目的1将阐明生物膜的功能 铜绿假单胞菌生物膜内的CdrA及其加工形式，包括慢性感染中发现的那些。目的2 将检查CdrA将宿主材料整合到生物膜中的能力，并确定这些宿主因子- 整合的生物膜对抗微生物剂和宿主免疫应答的保护更好。这些目的是 预计将改变生物膜基质作为静态结构的既定观点，这些静态结构仅由自身形成， 产生生物分子。这种更好的理解将促进生物膜微生物学，并有助于创造 有效治疗慢性感染。这份建议书包括一个职业发展计划，以补充博士。 Reichhardt的先前经验，使她能够成功地过渡到一个独立的研究教师的位置。 博士Reichhardt组建了一个多学科的导师委员会，以帮助她实现她的科学和 职业发展目标。Parsek教授是Reichhardt博士的理想导师，因为他在国际上 他被公认为生物膜微生物学的领导者，并且他有很强的成功记录， 独立的学术科学家，包括几个具有多学科背景。拟议研究 与Parsek教授的不同，这个项目的结果将与Reichhardt博士一起过渡到她 未来独立研究计划此外，从拟议的研究目标产生的结果是 有望帮助Reichhardt博士成功竞争R 01基金。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Microbial communities called biofilms are hallmarks of chronic infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a model for biofilm study, and also is a pathogen that causes biofilm infections including of burns, wounds, urinary catheters, contact lenses, and the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Biofilm microbes are encased in a mesh-like extracellular matrix that helps bacteria to evade host defenses and protects against external assaults such as antimicrobial treatment. A better understanding of biofilm matrix assembly is necessary to improve prevention and treatment of biofilm-involved infections. The long-term goal of this application and the candidate, Dr. Reichhardt, is to establish an independent research program focused on the nature and functional impact of intermolecular interactions in biofilm. Towards this goal, the immediate career objective of Dr. Reichhardt is to obtain an independent faculty position using the proposed research as the foundation of her job applications. The overall research objective of this application is to investigate the flexibility and control of matrix interactions of the key P. aeruginosa protein CdrA. Based on preliminary data, the hypothesis is that the biofilm functionality of CdrA can be expanded through enzymatic processing and binding to host factors, impacting biofilm stability. To test this hypothesis, two specific aims are proposed and will be investigated using Dr. Reichhardt’s unique multidisciplinary training in biophysical chemistry and microbiology. Aim 1 will elucidate the biofilm functionality of CdrA and its processed forms within P. aeruginosa biofilms including those found in chronic infections. Aim 2 will examine the ability of CdrA to integrate host material into biofilms and determine if these host factor- integrated biofilms are more protected against antimicrobials and host immune responses. These aims are expected to transform the established view of biofilm matrices as static structures that are formed by only self- produced biomolecules. This improved understanding will advance biofilm microbiology and aid the creation of effective treatments for chronic infections. This proposal includes a career development plan to complement Dr. Reichhardt’s prior experience so that she can successfully transition to an independent research faculty position. Dr. Reichhardt has assembled a multidisciplinary mentorship committee to help her achieve her scientific and career development goals. Professor Parsek is an ideal mentor for Dr. Reichhardt since he is internationally recognized as a leader in biofilm microbiology, and he has a strong track record producing successful independent academic scientists, including several with multidisciplinary backgrounds. The proposed research is distinct from that of Professor Parsek, and the results of this project will transition with Dr. Reichhardt to her future independent research program. Additionally, results generated from the proposed research aims are expected to help Dr. Reichhardt successfully compete for R01 funding.