Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023)

The double membrane surrounding each Gram-negative bacteria protects the bacteria from its environment, and is the site of many other essential functions such as nutriment acquisition, cell-signaling, adhesion, motility, virulence, or bacterial reproduction. The proteins in these membranes are of critical importance as the functions they accomplish are required for cell survival and bacterial pathogenesis. While the biogenesis of inner-membrane proteins has been studied over decades and is well described in the literature, the mechanisms underlying the incorporation and biogenesis of integral membrane proteins within the bacterial outer-membrane remain elusive. These mechanisms are of critical importance as they are used by pathogenic bacteria to cover themselves with cell surface proteins promoting virulence, and thus are considered promising drug targets for the development of novel therapeutics against bacterial pathogens.

Research at the Calmettes lab will aim at examining the detailed roles and functions of a novel insertase complex contributing to the biogenesis of outer-membrane proteins. Using transdisciplinary approaches our research program is designed to deliver a more comprehensive picture of the outer-membrane biogenesis and provide the scientific community with additional tools for the development of innovative antibacterial therapies. Our laboratory will also invest in the training of highly qualified personnel in advanced microbiology, biochemistry and biophysics, consolidating the Canadian highly-skilled labor force for academia and private careers in bioscience and engineering sectors.