Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a human opportunistic pathogen displaying multiple strategies to ensure efficient acute and chronic infections. Our team is interested in the membrane transport mechanisms underlying the infection process. In this respect we are investigating at molecular level, dynamic aspects of effector recognition and transport by the type II secretion systems (T2SS). A second project developed in the lab consists in the characterization of a new zinc import pathway, involving the zincophore, pseudopaline and essential for P. aeruginosa survival in metal scarce environments.
Bacterial ice nucleation as a freezing survival mechanism on glacier surfaces Microbial communities in glacial habitats endure extreme conditions such as low temperatures, freeze–thaw cycles,
Faisant suite au succès de l’an dernier, les deuxièmes « Journées Sécrétion » se sont tenues à Marseille les 2 et 3 octobre 2025.Cette seconde
Les bactéries ont développé d’ingénieux canaux membranaires, appelés sécrétines, spécifiquement adaptés à la sécrétion ou à l’assemblage de volumineuses macromolécules extracellulaires. L’organisation structurale des sécrétines
Découvrez notre nouvel episode des Chroniques Microbiennes ! Focus sur la bactérie Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Indestructible ou presque, elle a de quoi vous épater ! Elle appartient
Voici un fillm grand public expliquant la problématique de l’antibiorésistance, l’enjeu des anticorps et les contours du projet NOVENTINH auquel notre équipe contribue. Ce projet
In this study, published in the journal STRUCTURE, the group of Romé Voulhoux in collaboration with KT Forest group’s (University of Wisconsin, USA) and Loïc
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a large genome, easily cultivable and genetically manipulable bacteria, widely recovered in different environments. These properties make this organism an excellent model for studying the molecular organization, biogenesis and dynamics of transport mechanisms necessary for its survival.
Our team aims at deciphering at the molecular level and through genetic, biochemical, biophysical and cellular microbiology approaches, two essential trans-envelope transport pathways. We are investigating how (i) large folded virulence factors are recognized and transported by the type 2 secretion system (T2SS) through a type 4 pili-mediated process and (ii) the metallophore pseudopaline is secreted and retrieved by the bacterium in the corresponding Cnt zinc import pathway.
Understanding these transport pathways is not only important at a fundamental level, but also crucial to reveal novel targets for the development of new antibacterials such as therapeutic antibodies or inhibitory molecules like those developed in the different consortia currently carried or contributed by our group.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a human opportunistic pathogen that exhibits multiple strategies for effective acute and chronic infections in immunocompromised or cystic fibrosis patients.
Our team studies membrane transport mechanisms underlying and governing these infection processes. In this respect, we are investigating the contribution of the numerous T2SSs effectors secreted by the of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in its virulence and pathogenicity. Chronic lung infections are also addressed by dissecting the recently discovered Cnt zinc import pathway which, through the release and retrieval of the zinc-binding metallophore, pseudopaline, enables bacteria to cope with nutritional immunity and survive in metal-scarce environments such as the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.
Understanding these transport pathways is not only important at a fundamental level, but also crucial to reveal novel targets for the development of new antibacterials such as therapeutic antibodies or inhibitory molecules like those developed in the different consortia currently carried or contributed by our group.
Group leader / Research director (DR-CNRS)
Researcher (CDD-CNRS)
Researcher (CDD-CNRS)
Engineer (CDD-AMU)
PhD student (PhD-CNRS)
PhD student (PhD-AMU)
