Host–phage defense
Molecular strategies and dynamics of microbial defense.
Bacteria and archaea are constantly attacked by viruses (phages) and have evolved a wide range of immune systems in response. Many of these systems must stay silent in healthy cells yet act quickly once an infection begins. Using a defense system that acts through intracellular signalling as a model, I investigate how this decision is made at the molecular level.
When does a defense system switch on?
I combine biochemistry with quantitative measurements to understand how the activity of defense systems is controlled. Results will be added here as they are published.