Characterisation Of Antigenic Variation Of Neisserial Cell Surface Adhesins, And Their Role In Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$556,983.00
Summary
A group of bacteria called Neisseria cause human-specific infections. They produce two types of surface proteins termed adhesins, which allow the bacteria to adhere to, and invade, human cells. There is circumstantial evidence to suggest the bacteria can rapidly vary the structure of these adhesins, even within a single infection. This project will determine whether, and how, this variation is occurring, and what effect it has on the ability of the bacteria to cause disease.