Revealing the inner workings of the bacterial growth and division by super-resolution microscopy

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Given the ever-increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant pathogens, the need to identify novel antimicrobials and antimicrobial targets is higher than ever. The highly conserved and essential nature of many bacterial cell growth and division proteins, coupled with a lack of eukaryotic homologues, make these proteins an ideal target for novel antimicrobials. In this project, we aim to use super-resolution microscopy to gain insight into the organisation and dynamics of key proteins within the bacterial division and elongation complexes. This world class basic bioscience study exploits multiple new ways of working via international partnerships & collaboration: bioimaging/ super-resolution microscopy, nanotechnology, cutting edge biological chemistry, single cell bacterial physiology and quantitative analysis of massive and complex image data. The study will directly address the "World class underpinning Biosciences" BBSRC strategic priority, by continuing a cutting-edge international collaboration. It also addresses Bioscience for Health Strategic Priority 3 since an improved understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial cell division and growth may enable identification of new targets for antimicrobials.