 |
 |
Bruce Geller
Professor, Microbiology
|
 |
||||||||||||||
RESEARCH:
Protein secretion. One fundamental process that all cells have in common is the ability to sort proteins into different subcellular compartments. Because nearly all proteins are made in the cytosol, compartmental-ization requires that many of these proteins must pass through one or more of the cell's membranes. Our research focuses on understanding the molecular events in membrane protein assembly. Currently, we are particularly interested in the energy requirements for this process, and are using an in vitro bacterial protein secretion assay to study the mechanism of protein translocation across the E. coli inner membrane. In addition, we are dissecting the overall process into individual reactions and studying these as a function of the membrane potential.
Bacteriophage Infections of Lactococcus. Bacteriophage infection of Lactococcus lactis, L. cremoris, and other commercially important strains of gram positive bacteria is a major problem in the dairy industry. We are in the process of identifying and isolating the phage receptors from a number of different host strains. We are cloning the genes responsible for the receptors and studying phage-receptor interactions. Our goal is to provide genetically engineered receptors that would delay or prevent bacteriophage infection.