Identification and characterisation of a redox sensor controlling swimming behaviour in rhodobacter sphaeroides

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Project objective

Research objectives and content Rhodobacter sphaeroides is a motile, facultative phototrophic bacterium able to sense and respond to several stimuli (light, oxygen, nutrients, repellents). This is the first species in which multiple chemosensory pathways, responsible of a balanced response to an ever-changing environment, have been identified. The main research objectives are: to identify the receptor sensing changes in the rate of electron transport induced by light, oxygen and naerobic electron acceptor, compare this to other redox sensor and analyse the interactions with the electron transport chain; to establish which of the cytoplasmic chemosensory pathways is involved; how these different signals are integrated; to investigate how the swimming behaviour is modified by this sensory signal. The project will involve molecular biology techniques (gene cloning and sequencing, PCR amplification, mutagenesis, analysis and control of gene expression); protein chemistry; redox spectroscopy;kinetic measurements; computerised motion analysis. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) This project will allow me to learn a full range of molecular techniques and provide the unique opportunity to integrate these with biophysical analysis and computer modelling. It will be the first description of integration of redox sensing and chemosensing in a non-enteric species and allow modelling of the effects of different, conflicting gradients on the behaviour of bacterial populations in the environment. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)

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Participants

• THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD · OXFORDCoordinatorUnited Kingdom

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