Group name: Molecular Microbial Physiology
Other group staff members: Crielaard, Teixeira de Mattos, Klis
Location: Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, BCA,
University of Amsterdam
Web page: http://bioicrs6.chem.uva.nl/microbio/index.html, http://www.science.uva.nl//sils/
E-Mail: khelling@science.uva.nl
Phone: +31 20 5257055
Relevant research
interests:
In the research group Molecular Microbial Physiology (SILS, UvA;
staff members: Crielaard, Teixeira de Mattos, Klis and Hellingwerf) the central
research topic is the molecular basis of adaptation of microorganisms to
(stress) signals from their environment. These studies cover the (sub)molecular
and (inter)cellular levels. As stress signals we use e.g. (UV) light,
high-temperature, weak acid preservatives, nutrient limitation, etc. Part of
this work is very chemically (i.e. molecularly) oriented in the sense that we
try to understand the rearrangements within molecules that are required for
these responses. At the other extreme we try to understand how this
responsiveness helps organisms to increase their evolutionary competitiveness
in the environment.
Current system
biology activities:
At the central
level in our research, therefore, we try to generate an overview of the
mechanisms and pathways that are available for responses and adaptation, in a
limited number of strategically chosen model organisms (like Escherichia
coli, Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). In addition to that,
we want to understand how these pathways interact, to jointly generate
the phenotype of an organism, as it is observable in a model system like the
chemostat and/or in the natural environment. In other words, in this part of
our research program we try to understand the rationale of why physiology and
adaptation is organized the way it is. We consider this the heart of ‘systems
biology’.
On basis of the info above my
estimate is that more than half of our efforts are within the area of ‘systems
biology’. We tackle the challenges and problems in this area with the tools of
biochemistry, physiology, molecular genetics and bioinformatics. I think that
additional expertise at the level of mathematics and statistical physics is
required to significantly increase the quality of future work in this field.
The work of Uri Alon (Weizmann Institute) is a good example of how and in which
direction this field is, and will be further, progressing.
Relevant collaborations (e.g.):
Representative
publications (possibly links to pdf files):