Chromatin mapping identifies BasR, a key regulator of bacteria-triggered production of fungal secondary metabolites.

The eukaryotic epigenetic machinery can be modified by bacteria to reprogram the response of eukaryotes during their interaction with microorganisms. We discovered that the bacterium triggered increased chromatin acetylation and thus activation of the silent secondary metabolism gene cluster in the fungus . Using this model, we aim understanding mechanisms of microbial communication based on bacteria-triggered chromatin modification.

Identification of the antiphagocytic trypacidin gene cluster in the human-pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus.

The opportunistic human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus produces numerous different natural products. The genetic basis for the biosynthesis of a number of known metabolites has remained unknown. The gene cluster encoding for the biosynthesis of the conidia-bound metabolite trypacidin is of particular interest because of its antiprotozoal activity and possible role in the infection process.

Automated quantification of the phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia by a novel image analysis algorithm.

Studying the pathobiology of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus has gained a lot of attention in recent years. This is due to the fact that this fungus is a human pathogen that can cause severe diseases, like invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Because alveolar macrophages belong to the first line of defense against the fungus, here, we conduct an image-based study on the host-pathogen interaction between murine alveolar macrophages and A.

Identification of new PNEPs indicates a substantial non-PEXEL exportome and underpins common features in Plasmodium falciparum protein export.

Malaria blood stage parasites export a large number of proteins into their host erythrocyte to change it from a container of predominantly hemoglobin optimized for the transport of oxygen into a niche for parasite propagation. To understand this process, it is crucial to know which parasite proteins are exported into the host cell. This has been aided by the PEXEL/HT sequence, a five-residue motif found in many exported proteins, leading to the prediction of the exportome.

Uncovering common principles in protein export of malaria parasites.

For proliferation, the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum needs to modify the infected host cell extensively. To achieve this, the parasite exports proteins containing a Plasmodium export element (PEXEL) into the host cell. Phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate binding and cleavage of the PEXEL are thought to mediate protein export.

In vitro derivation of germ cells from embryonic stem cells.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the potential to differentiate into cells of all tissue types, as demonstrated by their capability to contribute to the development of all germ layers in chimeras and to form teratomas. Of interest, however, is the lack of evidence of gametogenic gonadal tissues within teratomas, such as testicular tubules or follicles. Although this may reflect the fact that in vivo germ cell development and subsequent gametogenesis are complex biological processes, the generation of putative primordial germ cells (PGCs) has been reported during the differentiation of mouse and human ESCs in in vitro systems.