Project 8
Mitochondrial sphingolipids and their role in infection
Vera Kozjak-Pavlovic
Mitochondrial sphingolipid metabolism plays an important role in governing apoptosis and mitophagy, two processes that influence the establishment and propagation of intracellular bacterial pathogens from the order Chlamydiales, such as Simkania negevensis. In addition, mitochondria are the source of metabolites and energy for these pathogenic bacteria. This project aims at elucidating the transport of ceramide from the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria to the simkanial inclusion, as well as the importance of neutral sphingomyelinase 3 and mitochondrial ceramide levels for the development of S. negevensis.
