Projects / Programmes
Proteomic and aptamer-based approaches for study of host-pathogen interactions in staphylococcal and clostridial infections
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
3.01.00 |
Medical sciences |
Microbiology and immunology |
|
Code |
Science |
Field |
B230 |
Biomedical sciences |
Microbiology, bacteriology, virology, mycology |
Code |
Science |
Field |
3.01 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Basic medicine |
Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus, aptamers, mass spectroscopy, virulence
Researchers (20)
no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
1. |
29489 |
PhD Mirjana Bistan Žist |
Microbiology and immunology |
Researcher |
2013 |
52 |
2. |
11130 |
PhD Sašo Džeroski |
Computer science and informatics |
Researcher |
2013 - 2016 |
1,209 |
3. |
18801 |
PhD Marko Fonović |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
Researcher |
2013 |
192 |
4. |
18284 |
PhD Katja Galeša |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
Researcher |
2013 |
39 |
5. |
33406 |
PhD Nikolaja Janež |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
Researcher |
2015 - 2016 |
86 |
6. |
22312 |
PhD Gregor Kosec |
Biotechnology |
Researcher |
2013 - 2016 |
129 |
7. |
23483 |
PhD Enej Kuščer |
Biotechnology |
Researcher |
2013 - 2016 |
38 |
8. |
24975 |
PhD Damjan Makuc |
Chemistry |
Researcher |
2013 - 2015 |
135 |
9. |
21244 |
PhD Jan Mavri |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2014 |
59 |
10. |
35029 |
PhD Tina Mikuletič |
Microbiology and immunology |
Researcher |
2014 |
59 |
11. |
13542 |
PhD Hrvoje Petković |
Biotechnology |
Researcher |
2013 - 2014 |
304 |
12. |
10082 |
PhD Janez Plavec |
Chemistry |
Researcher |
2013 - 2016 |
1,280 |
13. |
34212 |
PhD Jelena Rajković |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
Researcher |
2014 - 2016 |
21 |
14. |
12278 |
PhD Maja Rupnik |
Microbiology and immunology |
Head |
2013 - 2016 |
693 |
15. |
13301 |
PhD Franc Strle |
Microbiology and immunology |
Researcher |
2013 - 2014 |
850 |
16. |
22575 |
PhD Primož Šket |
Chemistry |
Researcher |
2016 |
223 |
17. |
25593 |
PhD Tina Šmuc |
Metabolic and hormonal disorders |
Researcher |
2013 |
57 |
18. |
07561 |
PhD Boris Turk |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
Researcher |
2013 - 2016 |
1,049 |
19. |
37945 |
Jasmina Tušar |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
Researcher |
2015 - 2016 |
10 |
20. |
37161 |
Tanja Vrabič |
Microbiology and immunology |
Researcher |
2014 - 2016 |
0 |
Organisations (4)
Abstract
Clostridium difficile and Staphylococcus aureus, both important pathogens causing significant burden in health care system, will be used as model organisms to study microbial factors that might be associated with increased virulence.
Different approaches will be used to define differences between clinical isolates with higher and lower virulence, defined as S. aureus causing endocarditis-associated vs. bacteremia and C. difficile causing diarrhoea vs. colitis or pseudomembranous colitis.
Comparative analysis of secreted factors and bacterial cell wall bound fractions in each bacterial species grown under different conditions will be assessed by mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches. NMR will be used as a complementary technique to study the possible differences in selected virulence factors due to posttranslational modifications.
Aptamers are in vitro engineered nucleic acids selected from complex libraries of synthetic nucleic acid by an iterative process called SELEX. They can be generated against functional groups, small molecules (e.g. amino acids, proteins) and even whole organisms (e.g. bacterial cell). Development of aptamer-based assay for detection of differences between strains associated with mild or severe disease will be another approach used in this project.
Significance for science
The results contributed to understanding of virulence potential of two important human pathogens, C. difficile and S. aureus in terms of properties important for endemicity, colonization and development of disease symptoms. We have shown that subinhibitory concentrations of antimicrobials could affect some of these properties. Additionally, the project has contributed to development of approaches for detection of C. difficile spores by specific aptamers.
Significance for the country
In this project three Centres of Excellence and SME have participated and this has enabled complementation in knowledge and technology and establishment or development of different scientific areas at national level. Also several early researchers were included in the project. Some of the developed methodologies and obtained results (aptamers) have potential for use in development of diagnostic approaches. Project consortium members were presenting the results at national and international scientific meetings and workshops.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report