The Role of Anaerobic Respiration in Survival, Colonisation and Pathogenicity of Campylobacter Jejuni

This project will assess the importance of genetic determinants of anaerobic growth in the pathogenicity of C. jejuni.<P>
We will investigate the range of conditions that support anaerobic growth; characterise the phenotype of the resulting bacteria; identify proteins expressed specifically during anaerobic or oxygen- limited growth; compare transcripts of aerobically and anaerobically grown C. jejuni; identify structural genes required for anaerobic growth; compare the abilities of wild type and mutated strains to associate with human cells and colonise chickens; and identify genes involved in regulation of aerobic and anaerobic growth. <P>We anticipate the identification of hitherto hidden virulence attributes associated with anaerobic growth.