Bacterial flagella are complex nanomachines that drive motility, allowing bacteria to navigate their environment. Flagella-mediated movement is essential for key processes such as colonization and host cell adhesion. Our research focuses on unraveling the molecular mechanisms that control flagellar assembly, function, and regulation. We investigate critical components, including the flagellar Type III Secretion System (T3SS), the filament cap and the mechanisms of stator recruitment. Additionally, we study the unfolding energy applied by the T3SS during early and late secretion modes, as well as the kinetics of flagellar hook assembly to build on previous filament assembly studies.
To gain these insights, we take a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, combining genetics, microbiology, and molecular biology with biochemistry and advanced microscopy techniques, including STED, SIM, and TIRF microscopy. We also leverage microfluidic systems, including a mother machine setup, to study the genetic regulation of bacterial motility and flagellar dynamics in controlled environments. We further explore the evolutionary differentiation between external and periplasmic flagella, investigating how structural and functional adaptations influence bacterial motility.
Through these studies, we aim to deepen our understanding of bacterial motility at the molecular level and uncover potential antimicrobial targets.
Top‑down view of a density map of the FliD filament cap, visualized in its native environment atop the flagellin filament. This movie shows a merged reconstruction from multiple 3D classes, providing insights into the structural organization and domain movements of the filament cap during flagellin incorporation.