Mechanisms of gene regulation

Bacteria have a large functional plasticity that allows them to adapt to changing environments and to respond to different stimuli to survive. This functional plasticity is well understood for some model bacteria in vitro, yet the implications in complex ecosystems such as the gut microbiome are unclear. We aim at understanding how is gene expression regulated in gut bacteria, exploring i) what are the stimuli triggering specific gene expression changes, and ii) what are the molecular mechanisms underlying such specific responses, that is, which transcriptional regulators are involved. This will allow us to design targeted strategies for functional modulation of these bacteria in the future.

Related projects:

• REGUBIOME (ERC StG 2023) - “Transcriptional REGUlation as a mediator of bacterial interactions in the microBIOME”.