Event Date
⭐️ Presented by the Center for the Advancement of Multicultural Perspectives on Science (CAMPOS)
Antonio Serapio-Palacios, MSc, PhD (he/his)
Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Eliminating the Competition: Strategies Used by Enteric Pathogens to Target Gut Commensals
The gut microbiome is assembled by continuous contact-dependent interactions among bacteria competing for space and nutrients. To establish infection in this environment, enteric pathogens must remodel the gut niche by altering microbial community structure and modulating host immune responses. In this seminar, I will present our work characterizing the Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) of Citrobacter rodentium, a sophisticated contractile apparatus used by bacteria to deliver toxins to neighboring cells. I will discuss how T6SS-mediated interactions can reshape the gut microbiota while also influencing host inflammation, indicating that this system not only displaces competitors but also alters the immune landscape during infection.