Microbial Infection and Cancer
Silja Wessler Lab
Precise regulation of signal transduction is required to control normal biological processes. However, deregulated cellular signal transduction pathways have been related to a number of disorders, ranging from relatively non life-threatening diseases to extremely virulent diseases such as cancer as a consequence of loss of growth control and resistance to apoptosis. In particular targeting of protein kinases is a promising field in the future treatments of cancer since they are able to derail normal biological responses and drive a cell toward neoplastic transformation. Research in our group is focused on a wide range of cellular signal transduction pathways initiated by interaction of host cells with pathogens like Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, etc.
Current projects:
- H. pylori signal transduction
- Bacterial HtrA proteases in the disruption of the epithelial barrier
- Pollen-borne bacteria and the epithelial integrity
- H. pylori proteases (FWF-funded)
- HtrA from Gram-positive pathogens (FWF-funded)
NEWS
We offer exciting projects for Master students. Highly motivated candidates with a strong background in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry are encouraged to send inquiries (motivation letter and certificates) to Silja Wessler.
This research group is a member of the international “PhD program ICA” of the University of Salzburg and the FWF, of the priority program “Allergy-Cancer-BioNano Research Centre” of the University of Salzburg and member of the Cancer Cluster Cluster Salzburg.
