Lectins are common proteins that bind to carbohydrates and that play a role, amongst other things, in the formation of bacterial biofilms.
Detailed description
Lectins can specifically adhere to cells because of their binding to carbohydrates. That way, they influence various metabolic pathways. Lectins are also produced by bacteria such as the pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By binding to sugar molecules on bacteria, lectins link these molecules and induce formation of a biofilm, in which the immune system cannot fight the bacteria.
The working group is responsible for projects aimed at the detection, occurrence and description of emerging viruses. To accomplish this task, the scientists are collecting samples of potential virus carriers, such as game, farm and domestic animals, thereby building up a comprehensive database ...
Hannover - Braunschweig | Heidelberg | München | Tübingen
Medical data and biological samples obtained from transplant patients are collected and managed across Germany with the help of the DZIF Transplant Cohort. The data and samples form the basis of scientific studies which investigate the connections between numerous factors influencing an organ’s ...
Alexander Titz’s research group focuses on biofilms, which is a slimy layer that bacteria produce to physically protect themselves against the immune system and against antibiotics. For example, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a dreaded hospital pathogen, is a member of this group of bacteria and uses ...
The overall goal of the DZIF Academy is to close the gap of multidisciplinary training approaches within infection research in order to master the biological complexities associated with infectious
