Genetic dissection of the biogenesis and function of type IV fimbriae of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

铜绿假单胞菌是一种常见的细菌，它会导致囊性纤维化、艾滋病或严重烧伤或正在接受癌症化疗的人发生严重危及生命的感染。这种病原体和其他一些重要的传染性细菌使用表面细丝，称为菌毛，就像抓钩一样附着在人体细胞上，并在宿主组织中移动。这些菌毛是根据环境条件产生的，并通过一种也用于毒素和其他致病分子出口的过程进行组装。这个项目将描述指定和控制这一系统的基因，作为设计更好的治疗方法来对抗这种细菌的一种手段，其中许多细菌对抗生素治疗具有耐药性。

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common bacterium which causes serious life-threatening infections of individuals with cystic fibrosis, AIDS or who have suffered severe burns or are undergoing cancer chemotherapy. This pathogen, and a number of other important infectious bacteria use surface filaments, called fimbriae, like grappling hooks to attach to the cells of the body and to move across host tissues. These fimbriae are produced in response to environmental conditions, and are assembled by a process that is also used in the export of toxins and other pathogenic molecules. This project will characterise genes which specify and control this system, as a means to design better treatments against such bacteria, many of which are resistant to antibiotic treatment.