Unravelling the potential of LysM-domain proteins to awaken silent secondary metabolites genes in predatory bacteria through predator-prey interactions.

As a microbiologist with an expertise based on the study of the genetic response of microorganisms to their environment and other microorganisms, with a strong background in myxobacterial biology, I will study the induction of new antibiotic compounds in predator-prey co-cultures through the LYSM project. A transcriptome analysis of the predator bacterium Myxococcus xanthus in such conditions has revealed the induction of five genes coding for proteins with peptidoglycan-binding LysM domains together with several gene clusters involved in the production of secondary metabolites. The LYSM project will be carried out at the Department of Microbiology of the Universidad de Granada (UGR) under the supervision of Prof. José Muñoz Dorado. Their current line of research in bacterial predation and the experience I acquired throughout my international post-doctoral stages will create a strong synergy where we will achieve greater advances than we would separately. His research group counts with several experts in myxobacteria, bacterial predation, and transcriptional regulation, and an excellent network of international collaborators, that will contribute to the success of this project.This research project aims to discover mechanisms to “awaken” silent new secondary metabolites genes of M. xanthus through predator-prey interaction focusing on the role of peptidoglycan-binding proteins during predation.