Microbiology

Initially focused on bacterial antibiotic resistance, the CIP has since broadened its research scope to encompass diverse biological processes and multiple model organisms. François Beaufay studies the plasticity of bacterial genomes particularly highlighting the role of bacterial heterochromatin in governing horizontal transfer and the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacterial population. In addition, he is studying how genetic mobile elements and nucleoïd associated proteins drive bacterial adaptation. Sébastien Rigali investigates bacterial secondary metabolism and regulatory networks, describing novel actinobacteria, dissecting the transcriptional control of biosynthetic gene clusters, and examining how environmental cues shape morphogenesis metabolite production. Mohammed Terrak focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial cell wall growth and division, with particular emphasis on the function and regulation of peptidoglycan synthases within multiprotein complexes such as the divisome. He also develops innovative assays for the discovery of new antibacterial agents targeting peptidoglycan synthases.