Investigating the lipid-protein interactions of the YnaI mechanosensitive channel.

Channels are specialised molecules which are essential for all cells to grow. The mechanosensitive channels are found in all kingdoms of life, involved in pain, touch, hearing, balance. In bacterial cells they are required for cells to survive water stress and thus are a potential new target for antimicrobial therapies. We have developed a number of tools and techniques which allow us to investigate how the mechanosensitive channels function. This project will use modern biochemical and biophysical techniques to identify regions of a channel, YnaI, essential for controlling its activity and thus inform our ultimate goal to provide novel strategies to combat bacterial infections.