Field of research
The Römer lab is mainly focused on host-pathogen interactions; in particular, we are interested in understanding the impact of bacterial lectins on host cell physiology in single cells, tissues and model organisms in molecular detail by using a combination of analytical and synthetic approaches. For instance, we investigate the effects of the P. aeruginosa lectins LecA and LecB on wound healing processes (e.g. cell adhesion and migration, and cell proliferation). Moreover, based on principal findings we develop alternative strategies to fight bacterial infections, e.g. divalent lectin inhibitors that fully block host cell invasion when applied in nano-molar concentrations.The Rising Star could study the impact of the P. aeruginosa lectins on integrin signaling and cytoskeleton dynamics.
Top three publications
The Gb3-enriched CD59/flotillin plasma membrane domain regulates host cell invasion by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Brandel A, Aigal S, Lagies S, Schlimpert M, Meléndez AV, Xu M, Lehmann A, Hummel D, Fisch D, Madl J, Eierhoff T, Kammerer B, Römer W. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2021 Feb 8. doi: 10.1007/s00018-021-03766-1. Online ahead of print. PMID: 33555391
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lectin LecB Causes Integrin Internalization and Inhibits Epithelial Wound Healing.
Thuenauer R, Landi A, Trefzer A, Altmann S, Wehrum S, Eierhoff T, Diedrich B, Dengjel J, Nyström A, Imberty A, Römer W. mBio. 2020 Mar 10;11(2):e03260-19. doi: 10.1128/mBio.03260-19. PMID: 32156827
Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecB impairs keratinocyte fitness by abrogating growth factor signalling.
Landi A, Mari M, Kleiser S, Wolf T, Gretzmeier C, Wilhelm I, Kiritsi D, Thünauer R, Geiger R, Nyström A, Reggiori F, Claudinon J, Römer W. Life Sci Alliance. 2019 Nov 15;2(6):e201900422. doi: 10.26508/lsa.201900422. Print 2019 Dec. PMID: 31732693
