Diarrhoeal Mechanisms of Campylobacter Jejuni

We propose to study the signalling events in cells and tissues infected with Campylobacter jejuni to identify the molecular basis of fluid secretion initiated by this organism. From the very early stages of infection, bacterial components signal to cells to initiate inflammation and fluid loss from the gastrointestinal mucosa. These bacterial signals activate host molecules in the form of secondary messengers and protein kinases causing fluid secretion. <P>
We intend to concentrate on the role of bacterial cell surface molecules and identified bacterial toxins in these events. To this end (in collaboration) we have generated mutant campylobacters with defined alterations in these molecules.