Graduate School Life Science Munich
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Prof. Dr. Thorsten Mascher

Bacterial Signal Transduction - Main research interests and activities

Current research topic include:

1. Identification and characterization of novel mechanisms of ECF-dependent signal transduction.

2. Regulatory dynamics of two-component systems by quantitative, time-resolved measurements, combined with mathematical modelling.

3. Defining regulatory interfaces and specificity determinants in two-component signal transduction.

4. Phenotypic heterogeneity in two-component signal transduction.

5. The role of the phage-shock response in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis.

Towards that end, we combine methods from classical molecular genetics (site-specific, random, sequential and transposon mutagenesis; gene deletion and complementation studies; reporter gene fusions; promoter dissection studies; Northern blots) with genome-wide expression profiling (DNA microarray analysis), systems biology studies and comparative genomics approaches. For the in-depth study of individual regulatory systems, we furthermore apply biochemical techniques (protein purification, protein-protein interaction studies, Western blots, protein topology and localization studies, etc.). Our primary working horse is Bacillus subtilis, the model organism for the low G+C Gram-positive (Firmicutes) bacteria. Other bacteria studied in our lab are Bacillus licheniformis, Escherichia coli, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, and soon to come: Streptomyces venezuelae, Rhodopirellula baltica.

 

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