Microbes show a diverse array of shapes and sizes that have been attributed to various environments and functions. This seminar will discuss how and why some microbes substantially change their sizes and shapes to suit prevailing environmental conditions. These adaptations play important roles in microbial survival in harsh or rapidly-changeable environments—such as haloarchaea (e.g. H. volcanii) living in hypersaline lakes that are subject to desiccation or rapid dilution, or uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) living in the bladder surface during a urinary tract infection and subject to similar degrees of change. Functional genomics (e.g. Transposon-mutagenesis and other genetic screens), protein function studies, live cell light and electron microscopy and cytometry have been utilized to understand the regulation and molecular mechanisms underlying the remarkable morphological transformations observed in these microbes.

Hosted by Brendan Burns

Followed by post seminar refreshments with the speaker in E26 Level 2 Atrium Staff Lounge – all welcome!