Speaker: Prof. Jose Vazquez-Boland, Chair of Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh will present a seminar entitled: Regulation of Listeria virulence by PrfA: from the lab to the clinic.

Time: 11:00am
Venue: QIB Lecture Theatre
Host: John Wain

Abstract:
The ubiquitous facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes uses a transcriptional activator, PrfA, as its master virulence switch. PrfA plays an essential role in activating the listerial virulence programme during infection but is equally important in preventing the cost of unneeded virulence factors outside the host. This presentation will review recent developments in our understanding of PrfA regulation, including new data about how L. monocytogenes bacteria “taste” the characteristics of the habitat to adjust PrfA activity accordingly. The talk will also illustrate how fundamental research into PrfA regulation may lead to translational developments with direct application in the treatment of Listeria infection.

All staff from organisations on the Norwich Research Park are welcome to attend.