The Role of Novel Genes in the Co-Control of Starvation-Survival, Toxin Production and Stress Resistance in Staphylococcus Aureus

The ability of bacterial food borne pathogens and spoilage organisms to withstand environmental assault in crucial to their survival in the food environment. S. aureus is a food poisoning organism and major human pathogen. A screen for starvation-survival mutants has identified novel genes, whose products link this response to the processes controlling toxic production, stress resistance and pathogenicity. Two of these genes encode a possible tellurite resistance determinant and an enzyme involved in nucleotide recycling, respectively. <P>
The project will give an in depth analysis of the mechanism of action and role of the novel components in multiple cellular functions. This will further our understanding of how S. aureus is able to adapt to changing environmental conditions in order to survive and potentially cause food poisoning.