Professor Simon Foster
School of Biosciences
West Riding Chair in Microbiology
West Riding Chair in Microbiology
s.foster@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 4411
+44 114 222 4411
Firth Court
Full contact details
Professor Simon Foster
School of Biosciences
Firth Court
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
School of Biosciences
Firth Court
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
- Profile
-
Career history
- 2020 - present: West Riding Chair in Microbiology
- 2017 - present: Faculty Director Research and Innovation, University of Sheffield
- 2008 - 2017: Director Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield
- 1999 - present: Professor of Molecular Microbiology, University of Sheffield
- 1993 - 2002: Royal Society University Research Fellow, University of Sheffield
- 1990 - 1993: J.G. Graves Medical Research Fellow, University of Sheffield
- 1986 - 1990: Broodbank Fellow, University of Cambridge
- 1984 - 1986: PhD, University of Cambridge
- 1983 - 1984: PhD, University of Leeds
- Research interests
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Bacterial cell wall architecture and dynamics
The cell wall is essential for bacterial life and its synthesis is the target of crucial antibiotics such as penicillin and vancomycin. We determine the structure and function of the cell wall to elucidate not only how it permits cell growth but also how antibiotics lead to death. We use the infamous “super bug” Staphylococcus aureus as our target organism to address key fundamental questions of bacterial life and death.
S. aureus cell wall synthesis at the molecular level: Pattern of cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis as revealed by fluorescent amino acid labelling and super-resolution microscopy (Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy; STORM) . Bar 0.5μm. Our primary goals are to:
- determine the molecular structure of the cell wall and how it changes during growth, at a resolution never previously achieved in any organism, using our world-leading microscopy approaches.
- use this information to then establish how the cell wall acts as the interface between a cell and its environment.
- bring together our findings to establish the basic mechanisms underpinning growth, the action of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance across bacteria.
Staphylococcus aureus disease
S. aureus is a major human pathogen of increasing importance due to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Our research spans from the fundamental through to translational approaches to develop new control regimes. We use a range of models to investigate host:pathogen interaction.
Our primary goals are to:
- elucidate S. aureus infection dynamics to determine how this organism is able to cause disease.
- investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of infection from both the host and pathogen perspective.
- use this information to better inform vaccine development and the use of antibiotics to treat infection.
Research Keywords
Microbiology, Staphylococcus aureus, pathogenicity, cell wall structure
- Publications
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Journal articles
- Molecular imaging of glycan chains couples cell-wall polysaccharide architecture to bacterial cell morphology. Nature Communications, 9(1). View this article in WRRO
- Molecular coordination of staphylococcus aureus cell division. eLife, 7. View this article in WRRO
- Supramolecular structure in the membrane of Staphylococcus aureus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(51), 15725-15730.
- Bacterial Cell Enlargement Requires Control of Cell Wall Stiffness Mediated by Peptidoglycan Hydrolases. mBio, 6(4). View this article in WRRO
- A single natural nucleotide mutation alters bacterial pathogen host tropism. Nature Genetics, 47(4), 361-366. View this article in WRRO
- A Spaetzle-like role for nerve growth factor in vertebrate immunity to Staphylococcus aureus. Science, 346(6209), 641-646. View this article in WRRO
- Clonal expansion during Staphylococcus aureus infection dynamics reveals the effect of antibiotic intervention.. PLoS Pathog, 10(2), e1003959. View this article in WRRO
- A privileged intraphagocyte niche is responsible for disseminated infection of Staphylococcus aureus in a zebrafish model.. Cell Microbiol, 14(10), 1600-1619. View this article in WRRO
- Super-resolution microscopy reveals cell wall dynamics and peptidoglycan architecture in ovococcal bacteria.. Mol Microbiol, 82(5), 1096-1109.
- Multiple essential roles for EzrA in cell division of Staphylococcus aureus.. Mol Microbiol, 80(2), 542-555.
- Super-resolution microscopy reveals cell wall dynamics and peptidoglycan architecture in ovococcal bacteria. Molecular Microbiology, 82(5), 1096-1109.
- Peptidoglycan architecture can specify division planes in Staphylococcus aureus.. Nat Commun, 1, 26.
- Cell wall peptidoglycan architecture in Bacillus subtilis.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 105(38), 14603-14608.
All publications
Journal articles
- Cell Growth and Division of Staphylococcus aureus. Annual Review of Microbiology, 78(1), 293-310.
- Tetracycline and Oxacillin Act Synergistically on Biofilms and Display Increased Efficacy In Vivo Against Staphylococcus aureus. Current Microbiology, 81(12).
- Two codependent routes lead to high-level MRSA. Science, 386(6721), 573-580.
- Using the Zebrafish Larval Model of Infection to Investigate Antibiotic Efficacy and Combination Treatments Against Staphylococcus aureus, 1-10.
- An exhaustive multiple knockout approach to understanding cell wall hydrolase function in
Bacillus subtilis. mBio, 14(5).
- The roles of GpsB and DivIVA in Staphylococcus aureus growth and division. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14. View this article in WRRO
- Clonal population expansion of Staphylococcus aureus occurs due to escape from a finite number of intraphagocyte niches. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1-11.
- In situ visualization of Braun’s lipoprotein on
E. coli
sacculi. Science Advances, 9(3).
- Penicillin-binding protein 1 (PBP1) of Staphylococcus aureus has multiple essential functions in cell division. mBio.
- The W-acidic motif of histidine kinase WalK is required for signaling and transcriptional regulation in Streptococcus mutans. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13.
- Demonstration of the role of cell wall homeostasis in Staphylococcus aureus growth and the action of bactericidal antibiotics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(44), e2106022118-e2106022118.
- Correlative super-resolution optical and atomic force microscopy reveals relationships between bacterial cell wall architecture and synthesis in Bacillus subtilis. ACS Nano. View this article in WRRO
- Staphylococcus aureus cell wall structure and dynamics during host-pathogen interaction. PLoS Pathogens, 17(3). View this article in WRRO
- Human-specific staphylococcal virulence factors enhance pathogenicity in a humanised zebrafish C5a receptor model. Journal of Cell Science, 134(5).
- The role of macrophages in Staphylococcus aureus infection. Frontiers in Immunology, 11.
- Identification of a quorum sensing-dependent communication pathway mediating bacteria-gut-brain crosstalk. iScience, 101695-101695.
- Evolving MRSA : high-level β-lactam resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is associated with RNA Polymerase alterations and fine tuning of gene expression. PLoS Pathogens, 16(7). View this article in WRRO
- Neutrophils use selective autophagy receptor Sqstm1/p62 to target Staphylococcus aureus for degradation in vivo in zebrafish. Autophagy. View this article in WRRO
- Polymersomes eradicating intracellular bacteria. ACS Nano. View this article in WRRO
- The architecture of the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall. Nature. View this article in WRRO
- Scratching the surface : bacterial cell envelopes at the nanoscale. mBio, 11(1). View this article in WRRO
- The impact of hypoxia on the host-pathogen interaction between neutrophils and staphylococcus aureus. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(22). View this article in WRRO
- Ruthenium based antimicrobial theranostics – using nanoscopy to identify therapeutic targets and resistance mechanisms in staphylococcus aureus. Chemical Science. View this article in WRRO
- 2601. Identification of Staphylococcus aureus Genetic Factors Associatiated with the Subversion of Macrophage Phagosomal Acidification. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 6(Supplement_2), S904-S904.
- SosA inhibits cell division in
Staphylococcus aureus
in response to DNA damage. Molecular Microbiology, 112(4), 1116-1130.
- A transgenic zebrafish line for in vivo visualisation of neutrophil myeloperoxidase. PLoS ONE. View this article in WRRO
- Augmenting Staphylococcal infection: the importance of timing. Access Microbiology, 1(1A).
- A genome-wide screen identifies factors involved in S. aureus-induced human neutrophil cell death and pathogenesis. Frontiers in Immunology, 10. View this article in WRRO
- Staphylococcus aureus: setting its sights on the human innate immune system. Microbiology, 165(4), 367-385.
- Human skin commensals augment Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis. Nature Microbiology, 3(8), 881-890. View this article in WRRO
- Staphylococcus aureus infection dynamics. PLOS Pathogens, 14(6). View this article in WRRO
- Molecular imaging of glycan chains couples cell-wall polysaccharide architecture to bacterial cell morphology. Nature Communications, 9(1). View this article in WRRO
- Heterogeneous localisation of membrane proteins in Staphylococcus aureus. Scientific Reports, 8(1). View this article in WRRO
- Molecular coordination of staphylococcus aureus cell division. eLife, 7. View this article in WRRO
- Construction and Use of Staphylococcus aureus Strains to Study Within-Host Infection Dynamics. Methods Mol Biol, 1736, 17-27.
- Use of Larval Zebrafish Model to Study Within-Host Infection Dynamics. Methods Mol Biol, 1736, 147-156.
- Identification of Staphylococcus aureus Factors Required for Pathogenicity and Growth in Human Blood. Infection and immunity, 85(11). View this article in WRRO
- Hypoxia determines survival outcomes of bacterial infection through HIF-1α-dependent reprogramming of leukocyte metabolism. Science Immunology, 2(8). View this article in WRRO
- The Plasmin-Sensitive Protein Pls in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Is a Glycoprotein. PLoS Pathogens, 13(1).
- Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus eludes selective autophagy by activating a host cell kinase. Autophagy, 12(11), 2069-2084. View this article in WRRO
- Molecular bases determining daptomycin resistance-mediated re-sensitization to β-lactams (“see-saw effect”) in MRSA. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. View this article in WRRO
- Atomic Force Microscopy Analysis of Bacterial Cell Wall Peptidoglycan Architecture. Methods in Molecular Biology, 1440, 3-9.
- The major autolysin is redundant forStaphylococcus aureusUSA300 LAC JE2 virulence in a murine device-related infection model. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 363(9), fnw087-fnw087.
- Alternatives to antibiotics—a pipeline portfolio review. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 16(2), 239-251.
- Inability to sustain intraphagolysosomal killing of Staphylococcus aureus predisposes to bacterial persistence in macrophages. Cellular Microbiology, 18(1), 80-96. View this article in WRRO
- Supramolecular structure in the membrane of Staphylococcus aureus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(51), 15725-15730.
- Bacterial Cell Enlargement Requires Control of Cell Wall Stiffness Mediated by Peptidoglycan Hydrolases. mBio, 6(4). View this article in WRRO
- Impact of the β-Lactam Resistance Modifier (−)-Epicatechin Gallate on the Non-Random Distribution of Phospholipids across the Cytoplasmic Membrane of Staphylococcus aureus. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(8), 16710-16727. View this article in WRRO
- Existence of a ColonizingStaphylococcus aureusStrain Isolated in Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Diabetes, 64(8), 2991-2995. View this article in WRRO
- A single natural nucleotide mutation alters bacterial pathogen host tropism. Nature Genetics, 47(4), 361-366. View this article in WRRO
- Staphylococcus aureus-induced clotting of plasma is an immune evasion mechanism for persistence within the fibrin network. Microbiology, 161(3), 621-627.
- The effect of skin fatty acids on Staphylococcus aureus. Archives of Microbiology, 197(2), 245-267. View this article in WRRO
- Bacterial Cell Wall Peptidoglycan Architecture and Dynamics. Biophysical Journal, 108(2), 198a-199a.
- The Interplay between Cell Wall Mechanical Properties and the Cell Cycle in Staphylococcus aureus. Biophysical Journal, 107(11), 2538-2545. View this article in WRRO
- Staphylococcus aureus DivIB is a peptidoglycan-binding protein that is required for a morphological checkpoint in cell division. Molecular Microbiology, 94(5), 1041-1064. View this article in WRRO
- A Spaetzle-like role for nerve growth factor in vertebrate immunity to Staphylococcus aureus. Science, 346(6209), 641-646. View this article in WRRO
- Molecular basis for bacterial peptidoglycan recognition by LysM domains.. Nat Commun, 5, 4269. View this article in WRRO
- Surfactant-free purification of membrane protein complexes from bacteria: Application to the staphylococcal penicillin-binding protein complex PBP2/PBP2a. Nanotechnology, 25(28).
- Bactericidal activity of the human skin fatty acid cis-6-hexadecanoic acid on Staphylococcus aureus.. Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 58(7), 3599-3609. View this article in WRRO
- Differential localization of LTA synthesis proteins and their interaction with the cell division machinery in Staphylococcus aureus. Molecular Microbiology, 92(2), 273-286. View this article in WRRO
- Different walls for rods and balls: the diversity of peptidoglycan.. Mol Microbiol, 91(5), 862-874. View this article in WRRO
- Clonal expansion during Staphylococcus aureus infection dynamics reveals the effect of antibiotic intervention.. PLoS Pathog, 10(2), e1003959. View this article in WRRO
- Zebrafish as a novel vertebrate model to dissect enterococcal pathogenesis.. Infect Immun, 81(11), 4271-4279. View this article in WRRO
- Cell wall elongation mode in Gram-negative bacteria is determined by peptidoglycan architecture.. Nat Commun, 4, 1496. View this article in WRRO
- N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase, 1, 1401-1407.
- Dendritic Cells Are Central Coordinators of the Host Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection. The American Journal of Pathology, 181(4), 1327-1337.
- The lysozyme-induced peptidoglycan N-acetylglucosamine deacetylase PgdA (EF1843) is required for Enterococcus faecalis virulence.. J Bacteriol, 194(22), 6066-6073.
- A privileged intraphagocyte niche is responsible for disseminated infection of Staphylococcus aureus in a zebrafish model.. Cell Microbiol, 14(10), 1600-1619. View this article in WRRO
- Identification of conserved antigens from staphylococcal and streptococcal pathogens.. J Med Microbiol, 61(Pt 6), 766-779.
- The iron-regulated surface proteins IsdA, IsdB, and IsdH are not required for heme iron utilization in Staphylococcus aureus.. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 329(1), 93-100.
- Staphylococcus aureus induces eosinophil cell death mediated by α-hemolysin.. PLoS One, 7(2), e31506. View this article in WRRO
- Super-resolution microscopy reveals cell wall dynamics and peptidoglycan architecture in ovococcal bacteria.. Mol Microbiol, 82(5), 1096-1109.
- Multiple essential roles for EzrA in cell division of Staphylococcus aureus.. Mol Microbiol, 80(2), 542-555.
- Super-resolution microscopy reveals cell wall dynamics and peptidoglycan architecture in ovococcal bacteria. Molecular Microbiology, 82(5), 1096-1109.
- A simple plasmid-based system that allows rapid generation of tightly controlled gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus.. Microbiology, 157(Pt 3), 666-676.
- Desiccation tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus.. Arch Microbiol, 193(2), 125-135.
- Peptidoglycan architecture can specify division planes in Staphylococcus aureus.. Nat Commun, 1, 26.
- Peptidoglycan architecture can specify division planes in Staphylococcus aureus. Nature Communications, 1(3).
- Protective Role of Complement C5a in an Experimental Model of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia. Journal of Innate Immunity, 2(1), 87-92.
- YsxC, an essential protein in Staphylococcus aureus crucial for ribosome assembly/stability.. BMC Microbiol, 9, 266. View this article in WRRO
- A ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex for direct imaging of DNA structure in living cells. NAT CHEM, 1(8), 662-667.
- Anti-Staphylococcus aureus immunotherapy: current status and prospects.. Curr Opin Pharmacol, 9(5), 552-557.
- Immunmodulation of Serum in Orthopedic Trauma. J TRAUMA, 67(3), 624-627.
- Large scan area high-speed atomic force microscopy using a resonant scanner.. Rev Sci Instrum, 80(9), 093707.
- The rise and rise of Staphylococcus aureus: laughing in the face of granulocytes.. Clin Exp Immunol, 157(2), 216-224.
- Iron-regulated surface determinant protein A mediates adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus to human corneocyte envelope proteins.. Infect Immun, 77(6), 2408-2416.
- Immobilizing live bacteria for AFM imaging of cellular processes.. Ultramicroscopy, 109(7), 775-780.
- Comprehensive identification of essential Staphylococcus aureus genes using Transposon-Mediated Differential Hybridisation (TMDH).. BMC Genomics, 10, 291. View this article in WRRO
- Immunological Mechanisms Underlying the Genetic Predisposition to Severe Staphylococcus aureus Infection in the Mouse Model. The American Journal of Pathology, 173(6), 1657-1668.
- Intra-Articular Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 Ligand Expression Is a Driving Force in Induction and Progression of Arthritis. PLOS ONE, 3(11). View this article in WRRO
- A novel vertebrate model of Staphylococcus aureus infection reveals phagocyte-dependent resistance of zebrafish to non-host specialized pathogens.. Cell Microbiol, 10(11), 2312-2325.
- Cell wall peptidoglycan architecture in Bacillus subtilis.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 105(38), 14603-14608.
- Differences in LPS and PepG Induced Release of Inflammatory Cytokines in Orthopedic Trauma. J INVEST SURG, 21(5), 255-260.
- Liver X receptor is a key regulator of cytokine release in human monocytes. SHOCK, 29(4), 468-474.
- IsdA protects Staphylococcus aureus against the bactericidal protease activity of apolactoferrin.. Infect Immun, 76(4), 1518-1526.
- Bacterial peptidoglycan (murein) hydrolases. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 32(2), 259-286.
- S. aureus: A 'superbug'. Microbiology Today, 35(1), 18-21.
- Inducible nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase-1 in the lung during lipopolysaccharide tolerance and cross tolerance. CRIT CARE MED, 35(12), 2775-2784.
- Ribonucleotide reductase class III, an essential enzyme for the anaerobic growth of Staphylococcus aureus, is a virulence determinant in septic arthritis. MICROB PATHOGENESIS, 43(5-6), 179-188.
- Characterization of IsaA and SceD, two putative lytic transglycosylases of Staphylococcus aureus.. J Bacteriol, 189(20), 7316-7325.
- Histamine in rheumatoid arthritis. SCAND J IMMUNOL, 65(6), 530-537.
- The Staphylococcus aureus surface protein IsdA mediates resistance to innate defenses of human skin.. Cell Host Microbe, 1(3), 199-212.
- Alterations in inflammatory capacity and TLR expression on monocytes and neutrophils after cardiopulmonary bypass. SHOCK, 27(5), 466-473.
- Burkholderia Hep_Hap autotransporter (BuHA) proteins elicit a strong antibody response during experimental glanders but not human melioidosis. BMC MICROBIOL, 7. View this article in WRRO
- Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan impairs fracture healing: An experimental study in rats. J ORTHOP RES, 25(2), 262-266.
- Catalase (KatA) and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) have compensatory roles in peroxide stress resistance and are required for survival, persistence, and nasal colonization in Staphylococcus aureus.. J Bacteriol, 189(3), 1025-1035.
- Activation of cytokine synthesis by systemic infusions of lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan in a porcine model in vivo and in vitro. Surgical Infections, 8(5), 495-503.
- Investigations into sigma(B)-modulated regulatory pathways governing extracellular virulence determinant production in Staphylococcus aureus. J BACTERIOL, 188(17), 6070-6080.
- Identification of antigenic components of Staphylococcus epidermidis expressed during human infection.. Infect Immun, 74(8), 4644-4654.
- Cytokine responses to CpG DNA in human leukocytes. SCAND J IMMUNOL, 64(1), 61-68.
- Lysophosphatidylcholine reduces the organ injury and dysfunction in rodent models of Gram-negative and Gram-positive shock. BRIT J PHARMACOL, 148(6), 769-777.
- Anti-inflammatory properties of enamel matrix derivative in human blood. J PERIODONTAL RES, 41(3), 208-213.
- Insulin reduces the multiple organ injury and dysfunction caused by coadministration of lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan independently of blood glucose: Role of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta inhibition. CRIT CARE MED, 34(5), 1489-1496.
- Identification of in vivo-expressed antigens of Staphylococcus aureus and their use in vaccinations for protection against nasal carriage.. J Infect Dis, 193(8), 1098-1108.
- Activation of the liver X receptor protects against hepatic injury in endotoxemia by suppressing Kupffer cell activation. SHOCK, 25(2), 141-146.
- Nod1 acts as an intracellular receptor to stimulate chemokine production and neutrophil recruitment in vivo. J EXP MED, 203(1), 203-213. View this article in WRRO
- Surface adhesins of Staphylococcus aureus.. Adv Microb Physiol, 51, 187-224.
- Peptidoglycan of Staphylococcus aureus upregulates monocyte expression of CD14, toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and TLR4 in human blood: Possible implications for priming of lipopolysaccharide signaling. INFECT IMMUN, 73(11), 7613-7619.
- Peptidoglycan N-acetylglucosamine deacetylases from Bacillus cereus, highly conserved proteins in Bacillus anthracis. J BIOL CHEM, 280(35), 30856-30863.
- GSK-3 beta inhibitors attenuate the organ injury/dysfunction caused by endotoxemia in the rat. CRIT CARE MED, 33(9), 1903-1912.
- Peptidoglycan of Staphyloccus aureus induces enhanced levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in human blood originating from neutrophils. SHOCK, 24(3), 214-218.
- AcmA of Lactococcus lactis is an N-acetylglucosaminidase with an optimal number of LysM domains for proper functioning.. FEBS J, 272(11), 2854-2868.
- Staphylococcus aureus: the search for novel targets.. Drug Discov Today, 10(9), 643-651.
- Cytoplasmic control of premature activation of a secreted protease zymogen: Deletion of staphostatin B (SspC) in Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4 yields a profound pleiotropic phenotype. J BACTERIOL, 187(5), 1751-1762.
- Invertebrates as animal models for Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis: a window into host-pathogen interaction.. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol, 43(3), 311-323.
- SYNTHETIC CPG- AND GPC OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDES ENHANCE THE TNF? RELEASE INDUCED BY PEPTIDOGLYCAN BUT NOT BY LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE. Critical Care Medicine, 32(Supplement), A18-A18.
- PEPTIDOGLYCAN INDUCES THE RELEASE OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE-9 (MMP-9) IN HUMAN BLOOD BY DEGRANULATION OF NEUTROPHILS. Critical Care Medicine, 32(Supplement), A137-A137.
- Sigma Factor B and RsbU Are Required for Virulence in Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Arthritis and Sepsis. Infection and Immunity, 72(10), 6106-6111.
- Peptidoglycan of S-aureus causes increased levels of matrix metalloproteinases in the rat. SHOCK, 22(4), 376-379.
- Drosophila melanogaster as a model host for Staphylococcus aureus infection.. Microbiology, 150(Pt 7), 2347-2355.
- TechniquesThe age of enlightenment? Developing technologies in the post-genomic era. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 7(3), 274-276.
- Analysis of the peptidoglycan hydrolase complement of Lactococcus lactis: Identification of a third N-acetylglucosaminidase, AcmC. APPL ENVIRON MICROB, 70(6), 3493-3499.
- Analysis of the open and closed conformations of the GTP-binding protein YsxC from Bacillus subtilis.. J Mol Biol, 339(2), 265-278.
- PheP, a putative amino acid permease of Staphylococcus aureus, contributes to survival in vivo and during starvation.. Infect Immun, 72(5), 3073-3076.
- Organ injury and cytokine release caused by peptidoglycan are dependent on the structural integrity of the glycan chain. INFECT IMMUN, 72(3), 1311-1317.
- IsdA of Staphylococcus aureus is a broad spectrum, iron-regulated adhesin.. Mol Microbiol, 51(5), 1509-1519.
- Role of a cysteine synthase in Staphylococcus aureus.. J Bacteriol, 186(6), 1579-1590.
- Peptidoglycan of Staphylococcus aureus causes inflammation and organ injury in the rat. CRIT CARE MED, 32(2), 546-552.
- Impact of staphylococcal protease expression on the outcome of infectious arthritis. MICROBES INFECT, 6(2), 202-206.
- Role of the hprT-ftsH locus in Staphylococcus aureus.. Microbiology, 150(Pt 2), 373-381.
- Mur-LH, the Broad-Spectrum Endolysin of Lactobacillus helveticus Temperate Bacteriophage φ-0303. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 70(1), 96-103.
- Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a putative GTP-binding protein, YsxC, from Bacillus subtilis.. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr, 60(Pt 1), 166-168.
- The role and regulation of the extracellular proteases of Staphylococcus aureus.. Microbiology, 150(Pt 1), 217-228.
- Peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid in gram-positive bacterial sepsis: Receptors, signal transduction, biological effects, and synergism. SHOCK, 20(5), 402-414.
- Role and regulation of the superoxide dismutases of Staphylococcus aureus.. Microbiology, 149(Pt 10), 2749-2758.
- Polarization of cytokine responses in B- and T-lymphocytes during Staphylococcus aureus infection. Microbial Pathogenesis, 35(3), 119-124.
- An essential role for NOD1 in host recognition of bacterial peptidoglycan containing diaminopimelic acid. NAT IMMUNOL, 4(7), 702-707.
- Characterization of LytH, a differentiation-associated peptidoglycan hydrolase of Bacillus subtilis involved in endospore cortex maturation.. J Bacteriol, 185(13), 3813-3820.
- Selective roles for Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 in the regulation of neutrophil activation and life span.. J Immunol, 170(10), 5268-5275.
- Essential Bacillus subtilis genes. P NATL ACAD SCI USA, 100(8), 4678-4683.
- Characterization of AcmB, an N-acetylglucosaminidase autolysin from Lactococcus lactis. MICROBIOL-SGM, 149, 695-705.
- Host recognition of bacterial muramyl dipeptide mediated through NOD2. J BIOL CHEM, 278(8), 5509-5512.
- LytG of Bacillus subtilis is a novel peptidoglycan hydrolase: the major active glucosaminidase.. Biochemistry, 42(2), 257-264.
- Lipoteichoic acid is a potent inducer of cytokine production in rat and human Kupffer cells in vitro. Surgical Infections, 4(2), 181-191.
- Crohn's disease-associated NOD2 variants share a signaling defect in response to lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan. GASTROENTEROLOGY, 124(1), 140-146.
- Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of theytxMgene product fromBacillus subtilis. Acta Crystallographica Section D Biological Crystallography, 58(12), 2138-2140.
- Analysis of Ebh, a 1.1-megadalton cell wall-associated fibronectin-binding protein of Staphylococcus aureus.. Infect Immun, 70(12), 6680-6687.
- A polysaccharide deacetylase gene (pdaA) is required for germination and for production of muramic delta-lactam residues in the spore cortex of Bacillus subtilis. J BACTERIOL, 184(21), 6007-6015.
- Manganese: elemental defence for a life with oxygen.. Trends Microbiol, 10(11), 496-501.
- sigmaB modulates virulence determinant expression and stress resistance: characterization of a functional rsbU strain derived from Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4.. J Bacteriol, 184(19), 5457-5467.
- Analysis of spore cortex lytic enzymes and related proteins in Bacillus subtilis endospore germination.. Microbiology, 148(Pt 8), 2383-2392.
- MntR modulates expression of the PerR regulon and superoxide resistance in Staphylococcus aureus through control of manganese uptake.. Mol Microbiol, 44(5), 1269-1286.
- Induction of cytokine production in human T cells and monocytes by highly purified lipoteichoic acid: involvement of Toll-like receptors and CD14.. Med Sci Monit, 8(5), BR149-BR156.
- An introduction to Staphylococcus aureus, and techniques for identifyingand quantifying S. aureus adhesins in relation to adhesion to biomaterials:Review. European Cells and Materials, 4, 39-60.
- In vivo roles of the germination-specific lytic enzymes of Bacillus subtilis 168.. Microbiology, 147(Pt 11), 2925-2932.
- The 1.2 A structure of a novel quorum-sensing protein, Bacillus subtilis LuxS.. J Mol Biol, 313(1), 111-122.
- Peptidoglycan primes for LPS-induced release of proinflammatory cytokines in whole human blood. SHOCK, 16(3), 178-182.
- Cloning, purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis ofBacillus subtilisLuxS. Acta Crystallographica Section D Biological Crystallography, 57(9), 1324-1325.
- The selective guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ reduces multiple organ injury in rodent models of Gram-positive and Gram-negative shock. CRIT CARE MED, 29(8), 1599-1608.
- Analysis of the role of bacterial endospore cortex structure in resistance properties and demonstration of its conservation amongst species.. J Appl Microbiol, 91(2), 364-372.
- Starvation survival in Listeria monocytogenes: characterization of the response and the role of known and novel components.. Microbiology, 147(Pt 8), 2275-2284.
- Identification and analysis of Staphylococcus aureus components expressed by a model system of growth in serum.. Infect Immun, 69(8), 5198-5202.
- Staphylococcus aureus accessory regulators: expression within biofilms and effect on adhesion. MICROBES INFECT, 3(8), 633-637.
- Aminoethyl-isothiourea inhibits leukocyte production of reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cytokines induced by streptococcal cell wall coiviponents in hunian whole blood. SHOCK, 15(6), 455-460.
- PerR controls oxidative stress resistance and iron storage proteins and is required for virulence in Staphylococcus aureus.. Infect Immun, 69(6), 3744-3754.
- Peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid modify monocyte phenotype in human whole blood. CLIN DIAGN LAB IMMUN, 8(3), 515-521.
- zur: a Zn(2+)-responsive regulatory element of Staphylococcus aureus.. Microbiology, 147(Pt 5), 1259-1266.
- Sirolimus interferes with the innate response to bacterial products in human whole blood by attenuation of IL-10 production. SCAND J IMMUNOL, 53(2), 184-191.
- Negative and positive ion matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and positive ion nano-electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry of peptidoglycan fragments isolated from various Bacillus species. J MASS SPECTROM, 36(2), 124-139.
- A cell wall component from pathogenic and non-pathogenic gram-positive bacteria (peptidoglycan) synergises with endotoxin to cause the release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, nitric oxide production, shock, and multiple organ injury/dysfunction in the rat. SHOCK, 15(2), 135-142.
- Stressed out?. Trends in Microbiology, 9(1), 45-45.
- Staphylococcus aureus surface protein topography. European Cells and Materials, 1(SUPPL. 2), 38-39.
- . Arthritis Research, 3(6), 375-375. View this article in WRRO
- In Staphylococcus aureus, fur is an interactive regulator with PerR, contributes to virulence, and Is necessary for oxidative stress resistance through positive regulation of catalase and iron homeostasis.. J Bacteriol, 183(2), 468-475.
- Peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid, components of the streptococcal cell wall, have marked and differential effects on adhesion molecule expression and the production of reactive oxygen species in human whole blood leukocytes. SCAND J CLIN LAB INV, 60(4), 311-321.
- Peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid from Staphylococcus aureus induce tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-10 production in both T cells and monocytes in a human whole blood model. INFECT IMMUN, 68(7), 3965-3970.
- Membrane-permeable radical scavenger, tempol, reduces multiple organ injury in a rodent model of Gram-positive shock. CRIT CARE MED, 28(6), 1953-1961.
- Autolysins of Bacillus subtilis: multiple enzymes with multiple functions.. Microbiology, 146 ( Pt 2), 249-262.
- Response from Foster. Trends in Microbiology, 8(1), 11-12.
- Complete spore-cortex hydrolysis during germination of Bacillus subtilis 168 requires SleB and YpeB.. Microbiology, 146 ( Pt 1), 57-64.
- Stress resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. TRENDS MICROBIOL, 7(11), 458-462.
- Interactive regulatory pathways control virulence determinant production and stability in response to environmental conditions in Staphylococcus aureus.. Mol Gen Genet, 262(2), 323-331.
- Characterization of the major superoxide dismutase of Staphylococcus aureus and its role in starvation survival, stress resistance, and pathogenicity.. J Bacteriol, 181(13), 3898-3903.
- Analysis of peptidoglycan structure from vegetative cells of Bacillus subtilis 168 and role of PBP 5 in peptidoglycan maturation.. J Bacteriol, 181(13), 3956-3966.
- The role of peptidoglycan structure and structural dynamics during endospore dormancy and germination.. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 75(4), 299-307.
- Structural analysis of Bacillus megaterium KM spore peptidoglycan and its dynamics during germination.. Microbiology, 145 ( Pt 5), 1033-1041.
- Evidence that the extracytoplasmic function sigma factor sigma(E) is required for normal cell wall structure in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). J BACTERIOL, 181(1), 204-211.
- CtaA of Staphylococcus aureus is required for starvation survival, recovery, and cytochrome biosynthesis.. J Bacteriol, 181(2), 501-507.
- Role of SarA in virulence determinant production and environmental signal transduction in Staphylococcus aureus.. J Bacteriol, 180(23), 6232-6241.
- The Staphylococcus aureus alternative sigma factor sigmaB controls the environmental stress response but not starvation survival or pathogenicity in a mouse abscess model.. J Bacteriol, 180(23), 6082-6089.
- Isolation and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus starvation-induced, stationary-phase mutants defective in survival or recovery.. Microbiology, 144 ( Pt 11), 3159-3169.
- Peptidoglycan structural dynamics during germination of Bacillus subtilis 168 endospores.. J Bacteriol, 180(17), 4603-4612.
- The role of environmental factors in the regulation of virulence-determinant expression in Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4.. Microbiology, 144 ( Pt 9), 2469-2479.
- Mechanism of gram-positive shock: Identification of peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid moieties essential in the induction of nitric oxide synthase, shock, and multiple organ failure. J EXP MED, 188(2), 305-315. View this article in WRRO
- Starvation recovery of Staphylococcus aureus 8325-4.. Microbiology, 144 ( Pt 7), 1755-1763.
- Molecular characterization of an autolytic amidase of Listeria monocytogenes EGD.. Microbiology, 144 ( Pt 5), 1359-1367.
- Characterization of the starvation-survival response of Staphylococcus aureus.. J Bacteriol, 180(7), 1750-1758.
- The Staphylococcus aureus Alternative Sigma Factor ςB Controls the Environmental Stress Response but Not Starvation Survival or Pathogenicity in a Mouse Abscess Model. Journal of Bacteriology, 180(23), 6082-6089.
- Molecular characterization of an autolytic amidase of Listeria monocytogenes EGD.. Microbiology (Reading, England), 144.
- The role of autolysins during vegetative growth of Bacillus subtilis 168.. Microbiology, 144 ( Pt 1), 73-82.
- Autolysins during sporulation of Bacillus subtilis 168. FEMS MICROBIOL LETT, 157(1), 141-147.
- Characterisation of the peptidoglycan hydrolases of Listeria monocytogenes EGD.. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 152(1), 149-154.
- Purified Staphylococcus aureus lipoteichoic acid induces nitric oxide synthase activity in murine macrophages. BRIT J PHARMACOL, 120, P335-P335.
- Structural analysis of Bacillus subtilis 168 endospore peptidoglycan and its role during differentiation.. J Bacteriol, 178(21), 6173-6183.
- Lipoteichoic acid from S-aureus, but not from B-subtilis, synergises with B-subtilis peptidoglycan to cause hyporeactivity to noradrenaline and organ injury in rats. BRIT J PHARMACOL, 119, P18-P18.
- Importance of lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan in the induction of nitric oxide synthase in murine macrophages by gram-positive organisms. BRIT J PHARMACOL, 119, P62-P62.
- Lipoteichoic acid from various Gram-positive bacteria either alone or in combination with a fragment of peptidoglycan induce nitric oxide synthase in murine macrophages. BRIT J PHARMACOL, 119, P243-P243.
- Peptidoglycan hydrolases of Bacillus subtilis 168.. Microb Drug Resist, 2(1), 113-118.
- Molecular characterization and functional analysis of the major autolysin of Staphylococcus aureus 8325/4.. J Bacteriol, 177(19), 5723-5725.
- Characterization of the involvement of two compensatory autolysins in mother cell lysis during sporulation of Bacillus subtilis 168.. J Bacteriol, 177(13), 3855-3862.
- The role and regulation of cell wall structural dynamics during differentiation of endospore-forming bacteria.. Soc Appl Bacteriol Symp Ser, 23, 25S-39S.
- Analysis of Bacillus subtilis 168 prophage-associated lytic enzymes; identification and characterization of CWLA-related prophage proteins.. J Gen Microbiol, 139(12), 3177-3184.
- Purification and characterization of an 'actomyosin' complex from Escherichia coli W3110.. FEMS Microbiol Lett, 110(3), 295-298.
- Molecular analysis of three major wall-associated proteins of Bacillus subtilis 168: evidence for processing of the product of a gene encoding a 258 kDa precursor two-domain ligand-binding protein.. Mol Microbiol, 8(2), 299-310.
- Analysis of the autolysins of Bacillus subtilis 168 during vegetative growth and differentiation by using renaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.. J Bacteriol, 174(2), 464-470.
- Cloning, expression, sequence analysis and biochemical characterization of an autolytic amidase of Bacillus subtilis 168 trpC2.. J Gen Microbiol, 137(8), 1987-1998.
- The
ClpX chaperone and a hypermorphicFtsA variant with impaired self‐interaction are mutually compensatory for coordinating Staphylococcus aureus cell division. Molecular Microbiology.
- Coupling Novel Probes with Molecular Localization Microscopy Reveals Cell Wall Homeostatic Mechanisms in Staphylococcus aureus. ACS Chemical Biology.
- Antibiotics Limit Adaptation of Drug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Hypoxia. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
- The Staphylococcus aureus cell division protein, DivIC, interacts with the cell wall and controls its biosynthesis. Communications Biology, 5(1).
- An Interplay of Multiple Positive and Negative Factors Governs Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews.
- PBP1 of Staphylococcus aureus has multiple essential functions in cell division.
- Commensal bacteria augment Staphylococcus aureus infection by inactivation of phagocyte-derived reactive oxygen species. PLOS Pathogens, 17(9), e1009880-e1009880.
- Human-specific staphylococcal virulence factors enhance pathogenicity in a humanised zebrafish C5a receptor model.
- Mononuclear ruthenium(ii) theranostic complexes that function as broad-spectrum antimicrobials in therapeutically resistant pathogens through interaction with DNA. Chemical Science.
- Neutrophils use selective autophagy receptor p62/SQSTM1 to target Staphylococcus aureus for degradation in vivo in zebrafish.
- Coordination of Chromosome Segregation and Cell Division in Staphylococcus aureus. Frontiers in Microbiology, 8. View this article in WRRO
- An automated image analysis framework for segmentation and division plane detection of single liveStaphylococcus aureuscells which can operate at millisecond sampling time scales using bespoke Slimfield microscopy. Physical Biology, 13(5), 055002-055002.
- Molecular Characterization of a Novel Staphylococcus Aureus Surface Protein (SasC) Involved in Cell Aggregation and Biofilm Accumulation. PLoS ONE, 4(10), e7567-e7567.
Chapters
- N-Acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine Amidase, Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes (pp. 1401-1407). Elsevier
- Inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3β in sepsis (pp. 128-142).
- Investigation of membrane action in model scale slabs subject to high temperatures, Fourth International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures (pp. 933-940). Elsevier
- N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase, Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes: Second Edition (pp. 866-868).
- N-Acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine amidase, Handbook of Proteolytic Enzymes (pp. 866-868). Elsevier
Conference proceedings papers
- The role of augmenting material in Staphylococcus aureus interaction with macrophages. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Vol. 49 (pp 205-205)
- Identification of modulators of intestinal nerve activity from Staphylococcus aureus. NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY, Vol. 30
- Cell wall architecture and the development of cell shape in S. aureus and E. coli. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS, Vol. 46 (pp S100-S100) View this article in WRRO
- High resolution atomic force microscopy of living S. aureus bacterial cell wall. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS, Vol. 46 (pp S291-S291)
- High-resolution Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging of native biological membrane systems. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS, Vol. 46 (pp S368-S368)
- Death or alive? Correlating the cell wall structure of sacculi and living bacteria using AFM. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS, Vol. 46 (pp S295-S295)
- Effect of soluble mediators from Staphylococcus aureus on intestinal epithelial function and sensory signaling. NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY, Vol. 29 (pp 128-128)
- Corneal infections: targeted eradication through antibiotic functionalized polymers. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 58(8)
- S104 Hypoxia preconditions the innate immune response to acute bacterial pulmonary infections. Thorax, Vol. 71(Suppl 3) (pp A61.2-A62)
- Co-operation during Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis. Journal of Infection, Vol. 71(6) (pp 684-684)
- New green emitting fluorochromes for Fluorescence Microscopy, specifically Structured Illumination Microscopy. Microscopy Microscience Congress 2015 (MMC 2015) (pp P2608-P2608). Manchester, 29 June 2015 - 2 July 2015.
- HYPOXIA INDUCES HYPOTHERMIA AND SICKNESS BEHAVIOUR IN MICE FOLLOWING SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION OF LIVE STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. THORAX, Vol. 68 (pp A140-A140)
- At least four glycosyltransferases are involved in the glycosylation of the plasmin-sensitive protein Pls in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Vol. 303 (pp 57-57)
- SUBVERSION OF NEUTROPHIL APOPTOSIS BY STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS: CONSEQUENCES FOR BACTERIAL PATHOGENESIS AND HOST DEFENCE. THORAX, Vol. 64 (pp A36-A36)
- Subversion of neutrophil apoptosis by Staphylococcus aureus. THORAX, Vol. 62 (pp A114-A115)
- Systemic petidoglycan (PegG) stimulates proinflammatory responses in synergy with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in an in vivo and in vitro porcine model.. SHOCK, Vol. 26 (pp 32-32)
- Peptidoglycan of S aureus induced the release of MMP-9 in human blood by degranulation of neutrophils.. SHOCK, Vol. 23 (pp 76-77)
- Synthetic CpG- and GpC oligonucleotides enhance the TNF alpha release induced by peptidoglycan but not by lipopolysaccharide.. SHOCK, Vol. 23 (pp 22-22)
- Carbohydrates and biology of staphylococcal infections. GLYCOBIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, Vol. 564 (pp 115-116)
- Monocyte cell surface receptor upregulation in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan. SHOCK, Vol. 21 (pp 21-21)
- Cytokine responses to combined administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan (PepG). SHOCK, Vol. 21 (pp 50-50)
- Bacterial endospores the ultimate survivors. INTERNATIONAL DAIRY JOURNAL, Vol. 12(2-3) (pp 217-223)
- THE ROLE AND REGULATION OF CELL-WALL STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS DURING DIFFERENTIATION OF ENDOSPORE-FORMING BACTERIA. JOURNAL OF APPLIED BACTERIOLOGY, Vol. 76 (pp S25-S39)
Posters
- Molecular Resolution of Gram Positive Bacteria Cell Wall using AFM.
Datasets
- The architecture of the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall.
- Evolving MRSA: High-level β-lactam resistance in Staphylococcus aureus is associated with RNA Polymerase alterations and fine tuning of gene expression.
Preprints
- The ClpX chaperone and a hypermorphic FtsA variant with impaired self-interaction are mutually compensatory for coordinatingStaphylococcus aureuscell division, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- The roles of GpsB and DivIVA inStaphylococcus aureusgrowth and division, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- An Exhaustive Multiple Knockout Approach to Understanding Cell Wall Hydrolase Function inBacillus subtilis, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- SosA inhibits cell division inStaphylococcus aureusin response to DNA damage, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- Targeting mononuclear phagocytes for eradicating intracellular parasites, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- Molecular imaging of glycan chains couples cell-wall polysaccharide architecture to bacterial cell morphology. Nature Communications, 9(1). View this article in WRRO
- Research group
- Teaching activities
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- MBB323 Microbial Structure and Dynamics: Genes and Populations (Module Coordinator)
- MBB335 Bacterial Pathogenicity