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Inflammasome
Caspase-1 is activated in cytosolic protein complexes called inflammasomes in response to microbial and danger signals. The inflammasome proteolytically matures the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18 and induces apoptosis. We are working on how the inflammasome is activated and the relevance in microbial and degenerative diseases. We also would like to understand how IL-1ß, which lacks a signal sequence, is released from the cell that makes it.
(Nikolaus Deigendesch, Bärbel Raupach, Sebastian Virreira-Winter)
Neutrophils
Neutrophils are phagocytic cells that kill bacteria efficiently and are crucial for the resolution of infections. Neutrophils can kill bacteria extracellularly by extruding NETs (Neutrophil Extracellular Traps) which are composed of chromatin and granule proteins. NETs are made through a novel form of cell death. We are currently working on how NETs are made and their function in health and disease.
(Borko Amulic, Christel Cazalet, Catherine Chaput, Juana de Diego, CJ Harbort, Lars Kühn, Nancy Martinez, Kathleen Metzler, Alejandro Sánchez, Anna Zumsteg)
Type III secretion
Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, like Shigella flexneri or Salmonella typhimurium, deliver virulence proteins to the host through a type three secretion system (TTSS). The goal of our group is to decipher the structure and function of effector proteins and TTSSs using biochemical and biophysical techniques.
(Nicola Barison, Kim Dohlich, Rashmi Gupta, Michael Kolbe, Michele Lunelli)
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