Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Understanding the mechanism of cytoskeletal reorganization in the host during Salmonella infection |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Focus area : | Host-Pathogen Interaction |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Anup Padmanabhan, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2027 |
Contact info : | anup.padmanabhan@ashoka.edu.in |
Details
Executive Summary : | Food borne infections caused by intracellular pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli are a major cause of mortality in the developing world. As a general mechanism of infection, these pathogens attach to the host cells and subsequently induce cytoskeletal rearrangement to enter into the host cell. The interaction of repertoire of bacterial effector proteins with specific host proteins are known to be involved in regulating the entry and survival of intracellular pathogens using mainly cell culture system. In the proposed project, we intend to investigate molecular mechanisms of Salmonella entry by cytoskeletal reorganisation of host cells through the interaction of Salmonella effector molecules with host cell proteins in mammalian cells. Studies will be carried out to validate our observations in in vivo model of Salmonella infection using C. elegans as model system. Our results will elucidate the host response during early events in Salmonella pathogenesis which is largely an unexplored area in our understanding of diseases caused by intracellular pathogens. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of Salmonella entry into host cells in initial stages of pathogen attachment could lead to development of novel therapeutic interventions. Incidentally, entry blockers of several intracellular pathogens are attractive drug target. As most drugs used against pathogens could result in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), thus, the major thrust is to identify new chemotherapeutic target. Finally, efforts will be made to develop inhibitor/s to block the cytoskeletal modulation by Salmonella infection during their entry into host cell to prevent infection. |
Co-PI: | Prof. Amitabha Mukhopadhyay, Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Delhi-110016, Dr. Anita Roy, Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Delhi-110016 |
Total Budget (INR): | 57,50,094 |
Organizations involved