La Trobe University, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science

About La Trobe University, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science

Molecular mechanisms of bacterial virulence proteins - A/Prof Begoña Heras Research Group.

Extensive phenotype data has shown that bacteria interact with their environments via surface and secreted proteins. Bacterial pathogens use these proteins to colonise, spread, cause disease and form antimicrobial resistant biofilms within their hosts. The Heras group takes the next step to further investigate the molecular details of these bacterial virulence proteins.

The group uses X-ray crystallography to determine the molecular structures of these bacterial proteins, which they use alongside other biophysical, biochemical and microbiology methods to build a molecular picture as to how these proteins cause pathogenic effects. The detailed information they acquire includes protein features/sites used to interact with host targets, enzyme activities along with the identification of host targets. This information is ideally suited for modern structure-based drug design, which the group uses to target and disarm bacterial pathogens. A recent success is their development of a bacterial biofilm inhibitor.

Biofilms are associated with most bacterial infections, where their protective effects against antimicrobials are a leading cause of the development of resistance to antimicrobials. The group's biofilm inhibitor is anticipated to lessen the burden on antimicrobials including antibiotics and even extend their span of effectiveness.