• DNA microarrays and global gene expression patterns
• Genomic indexing of Salmonella and E.coli
• Salmonella virulence gene expression during infectionLag Phase
• Salmonella Infection of Chicken oviduct (SafeHouse)
• Influence of Commensal flora, immune response and behaviour on Salmonella infection (VTRI104)
• Environmental regulation of the invasion and intracellular virulence gene programmes of Salmonella: a ppGpp dependent switch

• Regulation of Salmonella SPI1 & SPI2
• Bacterial nitrate metabolism in colonisation of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract
• Analysis of factors affecting Salmonella contamination of meat during the slaughter process (Biotracer)

• "Non genetic variation" gene expression within bacterial populations (Finished)

• Nucleoid associated proteins: DNA topology and gene expression.
• Acambis project on enterotoxigenic E.coli (Finished)

Metabolism of Salmonella inside mammalian cells

Main Researcher: Steve Bowden

Using a microarray-based approach, the Molecular Microbiology group at the IFR identified the expression levels of all the S. Typhimurium genes transcribed during infection of macrophages (Eriksson et al., 2003). These data have permitted the identification of genes encoding enzymes involved in central metabolism that show differential expression during infection. Our findings have led us to hypothesise that specific nutrients sustain the growth of intracellular Salmonella within the Salmonella containing vacuole (SCV). The aim of the project is to test our hypothesis by deleting key genes involved in the transport and metabolism of potential nutrients utilised by intracellular Salmonella. The mutant strains will be used in a series of infection experiments to determine their ability to invade and persist within macrophages grown in vitro and during systemic infection of mice. We will also perform enzyme assays on extracts of S. Typhimurium that have been isolated from infected non-activated and activated macrophages, and SCV’s.