Life Sciences Seminar: Comprehensive prokaryotic glycoproteomics
Life Sciences Seminar
Comprehensive prokaryotic glycoproteomics: challenges, solutions, and their application to pathogenic bacteria
Dr. Stefan Schulze
Assistant Professor
Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, RIT
Abstract:
Protein glycosylation, one of the most complex post-translational modifications, plays central roles in a variety of cellular processes in prokaryotes. Therefore, system-wide analyses of glycoproteins are crucial to gain a molecular understanding of biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and pathogenicity mechanisms. Yet the challenges posed by the complexity and variability of glycoproteins have prevented their large-scale analyses in most prokaryotes so far. Here, I will present an interdisciplinary approach that combines bioinformatics, comprehensive glycoproteomics and cell biological characterizations for the functional analysis of prokaryotic glycosylation. For the model archaeon Haloferax volcanii, this approach led to the identification of the largest archaeal glycoproteome described as yet, revealed the concurrence of two independent N-glycosylation pathways that can modify the same glycosylation sites, and indicated the involvement of glycosylation in crucial cellular processes such as cell shape determination. The universal applicability of the developed methods and bioinformatic tools now sets the stage for functional glycoproteomics in bacteria, with first results highlighting the importance of glycosylation for biofilm formation in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In summary, comprehensive prokaryotic glycoproteomics provides new insights into prokaryotic cell biology, and in turn opens new avenues for the development of novel therapeutics.
Speaker Bio:
Originally from Germany, I went to college at the University of Potsdam (B.Sc. in Biochemistry in 2010) and then did my PhD at the University of Muenster (M.Sc. in 2013, Ph.D. in 2017) before coming to the US as a postdoc at the University of Pennsylvania. During these times I worked on phage-bacteria interactions, microalgal proteomics, and archaeal biofilm formation – with glycobiology as the connecting theme between these areas. With the beginning of this fall semester, I am starting my lab as an Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences. This lab will combine bioinformatics with proteomics and microbiology to analyze the roles of protein glycosylation in prokaryotes.
Intended Audience:
Beginners, undergraduates, graduates. Those with interest in the topic.
To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu
Event Snapshot
When and Where
Who
Open to the Public
Interpreter Requested?
No