SFB 766 - The Bacterial Cell Envelope: Structure, Function and Infection Interface
Collaborative Research Center 766 at the University of Tübingen
Currently funding of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC- SonderForschungsBereich SFB) 766 was extended until 2015. In its second phase the SFB Speaker, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wohlleben, integrated eight new projects, led especially by young scientists. The DFG highlighted, besides the outstanding scientific quality, promotion of young scientists and women and the successful cooperation between the projects.
In total 21 projects the scientists are investigating different aspects of the biology of the bacterial cell envelope. They are located at various departments of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University, the University Hospital and at the Max-Planck-Institute of Developmental Biology.
Aim
The interdisciplinary network of researchers will gain a more in-depth understanding of the structure and biosynthesis of the bacterial cell envelope and its interactions with the environment.
The bacterial cell envelope has a decisive function in basic bacterial processes such as morphogenesis, uptake and secretion, sensitivity or resistance towards antimicrobial agents, as well as in microbe-host interactions including bacterial adherence, immune recognition and evasion. Research in this Collaborative Research Center, SFB766, is dedicated to expanding our understanding of the structure, function, and the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell envelope and its interaction with mammalian or plant hosts or with bacteriophages.
The investigation of these questions is organized in two tightly integrated sections: Section A and Section B. Central subjects in Section A will be the synthesis, turnover and chemical composition of peptidoglycan, lipids, and polysaccharides in different Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, transport of molecules (such as DNA and antibiotics) and transduction of signals across the cell wall will be studied. Moreover, the interactions of the cell envelope with the environment (e.g. with phages) will be investigated. These studies will provide crucial insights into the structure and function of the bacterial cell wall.
Section B addresses the role of individual components of the bacterial cell envelope in microbe-host interaction in bacterial colonization and infection. A particular emphasis will be put on proteins of the bacterial surface that interact with eukaryotic host cells and molecules as well as on the recognition of envelope components by the immune systems of human, murine and plant cells.
The interdisciplinary consortium will characterize the cell wall with a combination of methods including cellular microbiology, structural biology, molecular genetics, biochemistry and bioinformatics. The results will enhance our understanding of bacterial physiology and pathogenicity and will contribute to the identification of new antimicrobial agents, vaccines and diagnostics aiming to the development of new preventive and curative health care strategies.
Organisation
Download Organisation Chart
Speaker:
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wohlleben
Universität Tübingen
IMIT - Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin
SFB-Geschäftsstelle
Auf der Morgenstelle 28
72076 Tübingen
Germany
Telefon: 0 70 71 - 29 76484
Telefax: 0 70 71 - 29 5467
wolfgang.wohlleben(at)uni-tuebingen.de
Contact:
Geschäftsstelle des SFB 766
Leitung/Koordination: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wohlleben
Koordination und Administration: Dr. Regina Grupp
Auf der Morgenstelle 28
72076 Tübingen
Germany
Telefon: 0 70 71 - 29 76484
Telefax: 0 70 71 - 29 5979
sfb@biotech.uni-tuebingen.de
regina.grupp(at)uni-tuebingen.de
2. Speaker:
Prof. Dr. med. Ingo Autenrieth
Universtitätsklinikum Tübingen
IMIT - Interfakultäres Institut für Mikrobiologie und Infektionsmedizin
Abteilung Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene
Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 6
72076 Tübingen
Germany
Telefon: 0 70 71 - 29 82351
Telefax: 0 70 71 - 29 5440
ingo.autenrieth(at)med.uni-tuebingen.de
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Nürnberger
Universtität Tübingen
ZMBP-Zentrum für Molekularbiologie der Pflanzen
Auf der Morgenstelle 5
72076 Tübingen
Germany
Telefon: 0 70 71 - 29 76658
Telefax: 0 70 71 - 29 5226
thorsten.nuernberger(at)zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de
The SFB is subdivided in three tightly intertwined sections (Partners & Projects)
Section A: The bacterial cell envelope : Syntheses, Structures und Functions
Projects A1 - A15 Speaker of Project-Section : PD Dr. Christiane Wolz (Project A7)
Section B: Host-Pathogen-Interactions
Project B1 - B11 Speaker of Project-Section: Dr. Dirk Linke (Project B10)
Section C: Central Functions is responsible for fermentation and cell wall analytics (as a service for the projects) and for the coordination and administration of the SFB.
