PhD defence

So fragile yet so devious - Impact of L-fucose and D-glucose utilization on growth, metabolism and in vitro virulence of Campylobacter

PhD candidate Pjotr PS (Pjotr) Middendorf MSc
Promotor prof.dr.ir. MW (Heidy) den Besten
prof.dr. T (Tjakko) Abee
External copromotor dr. Wilma Jacobs-Reitsma
Organisation Wageningen University, Food Microbiology Laboratory
Date

Tue 12 September 2023 16:00 to 17:30

Venue Omnia, building number 105
Hoge Steeg 2
105
6708 PH Wageningen
+31 (0) 317 - 484500
Room Auditorium

Summary

Campylobacter is a zoonotic bacterium and is the main cause of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide, with most human campylobacteriosis cases being the result of infection with Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli. Comparative genome analysis highlighted that most Campylobacter isolates contain so-called carbohydrate utilization clusters that allow the metabolism of the carbohydrates L-fucose and D-arabinose, and in rarer occasions D-glucose. Genotypic and phenotypic analysis showed that these clusters contribute to growth and survival of this foodborne pathogen. In addition, utilization of L-fucose, a sugar that is present in the human intestine, also improved the in vitro virulence of C. jejuni. Subsequent proteomics studies identified possible roles of secretion systems and proteins involved in the synthesis of lipooligosaccharides in these processes. This thesis provides insight in the extended metabolic repertoire of Campylobacter and the possible roles in niche adaptation and establishment of human infection.