We invite you to a seminar presented by Prof. Dirk Linke from the University of Oslo. The lecture topic is “Bacterial Autotransporter Adhesins: structure, function, and surprising innovation potential.” The seminar will take place on May 19th (Monday) at 3:00 PM in auditorium R102 at the Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University.

Abstract of the talk:

Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are important virulence factors and are widely present in various pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria. TAA-expressing bacteria cause a wide spectrum of human diseases, ranging from exotic zoonotic diseases such as cat scratch disease (Bartonella henselae), to meningitis (Neisseria meningitis) or bloodstream infections (Acinetobacter baumannii). TAA-targeted antiadhesive strategies might enable us to counteract such bacterial infections. I will show some of our work on the structure of these adhesins that are made from highly repetitive elements. I will give an overview of the different functions that these adhesins have in pathogenesis, and will show some of our attempts to screen for inhibitors of adhesion. Last but not least, I will discuss a recent patent on an LPS-binding peptide, that was developed from this work.