Protein Biochemistry / Cellular Microbiology

Main Resources/ Methods:

• General tools molecular biology / microbiology / protein-biochemistry

• Design of bacterial strains and cell culture systems (S2)

• Equipment for protein expression, purification (e.g. DoE) and characterisation

• Study of molecular interactions (e.g. ELISA, AFM*, QCM-technology*)

• Microscopy* (e.g. AFM, super-resolution microscopy)

*coop. lab. „Multiphoton Imaging“ (Prof. Hellerer) / lab „Nanoanalytik_Biophysik“ (Prof. Clausen-Schaumann)

Current Research Focus:

• We are interested in the biology of Streptococcus pneumonaie, a major human pathogen expressing various virulence related strategies.

• A major focus of our actual research is the biogenesis, architecture and spatio-temporal organization of high molecular weight pneumococcal surface appendages (Pilus-1, Pilus-2) and their role in pathogenesis (host interaction).

• Understanding of these fascinating complexes might also enable translational steps towards improved strategies combating / preventing pneumococcal-mediated diseases and of other bacterial pathogens expressing related systems.

General Project Context:

• Microbial pathogenesis (surface located structures and their role mediating host infection)

• Antigen identification and design / vaccination strategies

• Protein production and purification for Biotechnology / Pharma

Novel collaborations (resarch and development; contract research) are welcome!

Teaching: interships, project-/bachelor- and master thesis work in described research areas

Please contact: Markus Hilleringmann +49-(0)89-1265-1654

Selected publications:

• Single molecule force spectroscopy reveals two-domain binding mode of pilus-1 tip protein RrgA of Streptococcus pneumoniae to fibronectin; T. Becke, S. Ness, R. Gürster, A. Schilling, A.M. di Guilmi, S. Sudhop, M. Hilleringmann, and H. Clausen-Schaumann: ACS Nano, (2018), 12 (1), 549–558.

• Molecular architecture of Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4 pili; Hilleringmann M, Ringler P, Müller SA, De Angelis G, Rappuoli R, Ferlenghi I, Engel A. EMBO J. 2009 Dec 16;28(24):3921-30.

• A second pilus type in Streptococcus pneumoniae is prevalent in emerging serotypes and mediates adhesion to host cells; Bagnoli F, Moschioni M, Donati C, Dimitrovska V, Ferlenghi I, Facciotti C, Muzzi A, Giusti F, Emolo C, Sinisi A, Hilleringmann M, Pansegrau W, Censini S, Rappuoli R, Covacci A, Masignani V, Barocchi MA. J Bacteriol. 2008 Aug;190(15):5480-92.

• A novel strategy to over-express and purify homologous proteins from Streptococcus pneumoniae; Lo Sapio M, Hilleringmann M, Barocchi MA, Moschioni M. J Biotechnol. 2012 Jan 20;157(2):279-86.

• Rational design of a meningococcal antigen inducing broad protective immunity; Scarselli M, Aricò B, Brunelli B, Savino S, Di Marcello F, Palumbo E, Veggi D, Ciucchi L, Cartocci E, Bottomley MJ, Malito E, Lo Surdo P, Comanducci M, Giuliani MM, Cantini F, Dragonetti S, Colaprico A, Doro F, Giannetti P, Pallaoro M, Brogioni B, Tontini M, Hilleringmann M, Nardi-Dei V, Banci L, Pizza M, Rappuoli R. Sci Transl Med. 2011 Jul 13;3(91):91ra62.

• Novel vaccines. Vaccinations in the near and distant future; Wack A, Seubert A, Hilleringmann M. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2009 Nov;52(11):1083-90. German.

• Streptococcus pneumoniae pilus subunits protect mice against lethal challenge; Gianfaldoni C, Censini S, Hilleringmann M, Moschioni M, Facciotti C, Pansegrau W, Masignani V, Covacci A, Rappuoli R, Barocchi MA, Ruggiero P, Infect Immun. 2007 Feb; 75(2): 1059-62.

Collaborators (past and present; selection):

• H. Clausen-Schaumann / S. Sudhop (Nanoanalytik und Biophysik, UASM)- Munich - Germany

• A. Engel lab. (Biozentrum) – Basel, Switzerland

• A.M. di Guilmi (Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS)) - Grenoble, France

• S. Hammerschmidt (Center for Functional Genomcis of Microbes) -Greifswald, Germany

• T. Hellerer (Multiphoton Imaging Lab., UASM) – Munich - Germany

• Novartis Vaccines / GSK Vaccines - Siena, Italy