Marion Schuller

Research Group Host defence mechanisms

Bacteriophage-Host interaction, ADP-ribosylation signalling, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Microbiology

Antimicrobial resistance presents a major healthcare threat for which therapeutic solutions are urgently needed. Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that specifically infect and replicate within bacteria, making phage-inspired therapies a promising approach for combating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The interplay between phages and bacteria involves a complex and specific repertoire of immune mechanisms to infect and defend, respectively. Among those strategies is ADP-ribosylation signalling: While ADP-ribose-derived molecules are involved in activation of bacterial effectors, ADP-ribosyl moieties attached to proteins or nucleic acids interfere with viral replication processes and host biosynthetic pathways.

Our group studies the mechanisms and physiological role of ADP-ribosylation signalling in the conflict between phages and the bacterial host to discover novel antimicrobial drug targets and to develop biotechnological approaches including for phage-derived therapies.

 

A PhD position is currently available through the IMPRS-ML programme!

We always welcome motivated students who would like to join our lab with a rotation or bachelor/master thesis project in our group - contact me!