GRK 1708: Molecular Principles of Bacterial Survival Strategies

本研究培训组（RTG）的指导主题是细菌生存策略的分子原理。在理想的环境中，细菌种群呈指数级增长。然而，在大多数自然环境条件下，抑制生长，损害细胞，或通过竞争生物或宿主防御系统阻止栖息地的殖民化。这种推动细菌进化的选择压力导致了高效的策略，使细菌能够忍受或克服不利的条件。这些生存策略对于形成生态位和殖民新的栖息地和宿主至关重要。因此，该主题与细菌生态学和生理学、细菌病原体的传播以及抗菌化合物的开发最相关，因此，它是微生物学研究的中心领域。在第一个供资期内，研究以这一中心议题为基础，并利用后基因组时代新发展的方法进行，取得了杰出的成果。在即将到来的资助期内，将进一步系统地推行这一研究概念。因此，我们将重点关注细菌生存策略的两个主要机制：项目领域A涉及基于细胞内反应的生存策略，主要是细菌代谢的特定适应。项目领域B侧重于生存战略，其基础是生物活性化合物的合成，使其能够在环境中生存。该研究计划将伴随着一个资格计划，该计划建立在前一时期的既定结构的基础上，并将进一步改进。一个主要目标是促进超越具体学科狭隘界限的科学精神。RTG成员之间的互动与合作通过每周一次的核心研讨会来确保。此外，我们将为专业知识和跨学科技能提供有吸引力的资格课程，旨在支持新一代微生物学家的自我责任感，创造力和主动性。

Guiding theme of this research training group (RTG) are molecular principles of bacterial survival strategies. In an ideal environment, bacterial populations grow exponentially. However, at most natural settings conditions prevail that supress growth, damage cells, or prevent the colonization of habitats through competing organisms or host defence-systems. This selective pressure, which drove bacterial evolution, resulted in highly efficient strategies that enable bacteria to endure or overcome unfavourable conditions. These survival strategies are essential to form ecological niches and to colonize new habitats and hosts. Therefore, this topic is of greatest relevance for bacterial ecology and physiology, for the spread of bacterial pathogens, and for the development of antibacterial compounds and, hence, it is a central area of microbiological research. During the first funding period, research built on this central topic and was conducted utilizing newly evolving methods of the post-genome era, leading to outstanding results. In the forthcoming funding period, this research concept will further be pursued systematically. Thereby, we will focus on two major mechanisms of bacterial survival strategies: project area A addresses survival strategies that are based on intracellular reactions, mainly specific adaptations of bacterial metabolism. Project area B focuses on survival strategies, which are based on the synthesis of bioactive compounds, enabling survival in the environment. The research program will be accompanied by a qualification program, which builds on established structures of the previous period and which will be further improved. A major goal is to promote a scientific spirit that exceeds narrow borders of specific disciplines. Interaction and cooperation between the RTG members are ensured by a weekly core-seminar. Moreover, we will provide an attractive qualification program for both, specialized knowledge as well as interdisciplinary skills, aiming to support self-responsibility, creativity and initiative of a new generation of microbiologists.