Determination of the function of the ydd/pqqL operon in uropathogenic Escherichia coli and its role in iron acquisition and virulence

Rhys's research will focus on the structural and functional characterisation of a novel virulence-related iron-uptake system in uropathogenic E. coli. This system has been shown to be important for systemic infection of this pathogen, and evidence suggests it targets a eukaryotic iron containing protein as its substrate. Rhys will begin his work in the laboratory of Professor Trevor Lithgow at Monash University, Australia. He will also spend time in Professor Susan Buchanan's lab at the NIH, USA where he will use X-ray crystallography to characterise this system. In the final year of the award, Rhys will return to Professor Ian Henderson’s lab, University of Birmingham, to pursue the longer-term aim of translating this research into medical outcomes.