Mucin degradation by prevalent gastrointestinal human pathogens

The overall aim of the work is to characterise the mucin degrading systems in prevalent human pathogens through a combination of transcriptomics, structural, and biochemical characterisation techniques.

This project will cover Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella enterica, Tannerella forsythia, and Clostridioides difficile, which will pave the way for designing new options in preventing and treating infections, exploring other pathogens, and further exploring these systems. Bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are common all over the world.

The sources of these infections can be from contaminated or undercooked food, untreated water, and poor sanitation. Enteric infections are also frequent secondary illnesses in individuals that have received antibiotic treatment. Compounding these issues is the increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistance.

My research focusses on the degradation of the mucosal surface of the GI tract by prominent commensal and pathogenic bacteria.

Some commensal bacterial species have evolved to graze on the O-glycans in mucin and this is a normal part of the important host-microbe mutualist relationship.

I recently made a ground-breaking discovery by characterising key enzymes used by commensal bacteria to hydrolyse O-glycans to use as a nutrient source.

Bioinformatics analysis and preliminary biochemical data indicate that these enzymes are present in pathogens associated with infections of the GI tract.

Characterisation of these systems will provide alternative and adjunct therapies, such as inhibitors and pre/probiotics, which will be vital in dealing with pathogens that are becoming increasingly resistant to current treatments.