Most bacteria (and some interesting archaea) are surrounded by a rigid structure known as the cell wall (CW), which provides both shape and protection to the cells. In Bacillus subtilis, this CW is predominantly composed of peptidoglycan (PG), a complex biopolymer made up of glycan strands interconnected by peptide stems. Additionally, secondary cell wall polymers, such as teichoic acids, play important roles in the overall structure and function of the CW.
I am deeply interested in all aspects related to the cell wall, including the synthesis and degradation of PG, the regulation of PG homeostasis, and the function of secondary CW polymers. My research also focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which antibiotics disrupt the PG biosynthetic pathway, exploring the molecular targets of these drugs and their effects on bacterial cell wall integrity.
