Functional characterization of pilus and secretion system biogenesis in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

副溶血性弧菌（Vibrio parahaemolyticus，Vp）是一种常见于海洋河口环境的嗜盐细菌。 VP附着于各种贝类，特别是牡蛎和螃蟹，因此，当食用未经煮熟或生食的海鲜时，VP污染的贝类对人类健康构成重大威胁。 因此，需要深入了解VP如何粘附在贝类上以及VP如何在感染期间分泌毒素。 副伤寒杆菌利用皮利结合并附着在贝类上，这被描述为在细菌表面发现的细毛发状延伸。 皮利形成网状结构，通常允许细菌聚集，然后结合到海洋环境中的甲壳素表面，如牡蛎和龙虾壳。 Vp细菌一旦聚集在一起，就会形成生物膜，生物膜是细菌细胞的密集群落，在表面形成粘糊糊的覆盖物。 我们的研究计划描述了实验目标，调查和探索VP如何在甲壳素表面产生生物膜。 我们计划采用现代和创新的办法来解决将影响海洋环境的关键问题。 我们的研究还将有助于海产品安全倡议，并将有利于水产养殖业。 理想情况下，更好地了解细菌生物膜将有助于水产养殖业采取行动措施，限制弧菌污染的海产品。

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) is a halophilic bacterium commonly found in marine estuarine environments. Vp attaches to a variety of shellfish, especially oysters and crabs, and as a result, Vp contaminated shellfish poses a significant threat to human health when poorly cooked or raw seafood is consumed. For this reason, advanced knowledge of how Vp adheres to shellfish and how Vp secretes toxins during infection is required. Vp binds and adheres to shellfish using pili, which are best described as thin hair-like extensions found on the surface of the bacteria. Pili form a mesh work, often allowing the bacteria to clump and then bind to chitin surfaces in the marine environment such as oyster and lobster shells. Once bound in clumps, Vp bacteria form biofilms which are dense communities of bacterial cells that form a slimy covering on surfaces. Our research program describes experimental objectives to investigate and explore how Vp generates biofilms on chitin surfaces. We plan to use modern and innovative approaches to address key questions that will impact on the marine environment. Our research will also contribute to seafood safety initiatives and will benefit the aquaculture industry. Ideally a better understanding of bacterial biofilms will aid the aquaculture industry in operational measures to limit Vibrio contaminated seafood products.