BOB · The role of bacteriocins in shaping oral biofilms
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2022-01-10 → 2024-01-09
- EU contribution
- €202,159
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
The role of bacteriocins in shaping oral biofilms
Biofilms are the most common form of microbial life in nature, but also an important pathogenic mechanism. In humans, biofilms account for up to 80% of the total number of microbial infections including oral diseases such as periodontitis and dental caries. Understanding how bacterial biofilms are formed is thus key to controlling the infection process and understanding bacterial behaviour. Within biofilms, microorganisms aggregate in close proximity enabling substrate exchange and distribution of metabolites. Among these metabolites, bacteriocins are ubiquitous antimicrobial peptides produced across the bacterial kingdom and primarily considered a bacterial defence system. They have been long studied as potential alternatives to antibiotics and as food preservatives, however, little is known about their social role in shaping biofilm communities. In this project, we explored the role of mutacins produced by Streptococcus mutans in oral biofilm formation. The overall objectives were (1) to investigate the distribution of bacteriocin genes in oral streptococci; (2) to establish a biofilm model to study bacteriocin-biofilm interactions; (3) to evaluate the role of bacteriocins in shaping streptococcal biofilms, and; (4) to study the transcriptome stress response of S. mutans challenged with mouthwashes/antibiotics in biofilms. Overall, this project contributed to understanding the role of bacteriocins from an ecological perspective.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
In the BOB project, the role of bacteriocins in shaping oral biofilms will be investigated by moving a Spanish researcher currently working in Ireland to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria primarily known as killer peptides, and producing bacteria protect themselves expressing dedicated immunity proteins. The rise of whole-genome sequencing has revealed the presence of a large number of incomplete bacteriocin gene clusters in bacteria, and specifically, the presence of unpaired bacteriocin immunity genes. Little is known about the social role of bacteriocins and immunity genes. By using state-of-the-art bioinformatics, advanced genetic engineering techniques, biofilm assays and microscopy, BOB will interrogate how these components involve in microbe-microbe interactions during the formation of oral biofilms. First, an in silico analysis will give an overview of bacteriocin associated genes in oral streptococci. By construction of isogenic mutants and fluorescence labelling of strains, a set of biofilms will be studied to explore the role of these genes in biofilm formation. Initially, a biofilm model will be optimized using a known bacteriocin-producer and biofilm-forming Streptococcus mutans. Further the significance of unpaired immunity bacteriocin genes both in a mono and a mixed streptococcal biofilms will be examined. To gain a deeper understanding of how bacteriocin and immunity genes are regulated in oral biofilms, transcriptional reporters and RNA-seq will be performed. During the project, I will receive high-quality training through research that will significantly improve and complement my scientific knowledge and provide a strong platform for building an independent research career. The knowledge and competencies gained will help me achieve professional maturity and prepare me for a role as an independent researcher in the field of microbiology.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- NORGES MILJO-OG BIOVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET · AsCoordinatorNorway
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/101029099
- https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/groups/molecular-microbiology-molmik
Data: CORDIS, © European Union