Molecular Microbiology & Genomics

Molecular Microbiology
MMG Research Labs

The MMG Group uses different molecular microbiology approaches and genomics to understand and fight pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and to decipher the evolution of important physiological properties in yeasts. Recent achievements relate to the understanding of microbial pathogenicity and concern the role of bacterial peptidoglycan (PG) hydrolases in evading the immune response and the role of PG amidation in antibiotic resistance. Also, characterization of Chlamydia virulence proteins led to findings relevant for targeting virulence.

Applied research contributed to the development of a test for detection of carbapenemases (antimicrobial resistance). Using yeasts as models, we uncovered events of horizontal gene transfer that re-shaped sugar fermentation in a yeast lineage.


Recent publications
Inês Serrano Pereira; Maria da Cunha; Inês Pacheco Leal; Maria Pequito Luís; Paula Gonçalves; Carla Gonçalves; Luís Jaime Mota. 2024. Identification of homologs of the Chlamydia trachomatis effector CteG reveals a family of Chlamydiaceae type III secreted proteins that can be delivered into host cells. MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, DOI: 10.1007/s00430-024-00798-9
Luis, MP; Pereira, IS; Bugalhao, JN; Simoes, C; Mota, C; Romao, MJ; Mota, LJ. 2023. The Chlamydia trachomatis IncM Protein Interferes with Host Cell Cytokinesis, Centrosome Positioning, and Golgi Distribution and Contributes to the Stability of the Pathogen-Containing Vacuole. INFECTION AND IMMUNITY, 91, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00405-22
Pereira, IS; Pais, SV; Borges, V; Borrego, MJ; Gomes, JP; Mota, LJ. 2022. The Type III Secretion Effector CteG Mediates Host Cell Lytic Exit of Chlamydia trachomatis. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12, DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.902210
Bugalhão, Joana N.; Luís, Maria P.; Pereira, Inês Serrano; da Cunha, Maria; Pais, Sara V.; Mota, Luís Jaime. 2022. The Chlamydia trachomatis inclusion membrane protein CT006 associates with lipid droplets in eukaryotic cells. PLoS One, 17, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264292
Portela, R; Faria, NA; Mwangi, M; Miragaia, M; de Lencastre, H; Tomasz, A; Sobral, RG. 2022. Analysis of a Cell Wall Mutant Highlights Rho-Dependent Genome Amplification Events in Staphylococcus aureus. MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM, DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02483-21