Structure-function studies of critical gating residues in mechanosensitive channels

Channels are specialised molecules which are essential for all cells to grow. The mechanosensitive channels are involved in pain, touch, hearing and balance. In bacterial cells they are required for cells to survive water stress and are thus a potential new target for antimicrobial therapies. This project will use modern molecular and genetic techniques to identify regions of the mechanosensitive channels that are essential for their function and thus inform our ultimate goal to provide novel strategies to combat bacterial infections.