Research

Research in the group of Microbiology focuses on understanding the mechanisms involved in secretion of proteins and the role of secreted proteins in bacterial membrane biogenesis and fungal growth and development. Prof. Dr. H.A.B. Wösten is head of the fungal group. Prof. Dr. J.P.M. Tommassen is head of the bacterial group. Fungal Physiology is a collaboration with the CBS Fungal Biodiversity Centre and is headed by Dr. ir. R.P. de Vries.

Bacterial group

Picture center, source: R.Hubert, Program in Microbiology, Iowa State University

The research program of the bacterial group studies cell envelope-related processes in Gram-negative bacteria and focuses on three lines: 

1) biogenesis of the bacterial outer membrane

2) protein secretion

3) vaccine development

Fungal group

The research program of the fungal group focuses on 

1) the location of production and secretion of proteins in fungi 

2) the role of secreted proteins in pathogenicity and the formation of reproductive structures

Fungal physiology

The research program of Fungal Physiology focuses on utilization of natural carbon sources with special emphasis on:

1. Regulatory systems
2. Polysaccharide degradation
3. Metabolic pathways