Infection Biology Laboratory
Description of the Group
Our research focuses on defining the bacterial factors underlying the success of Staphylococcus aureus as a human pathogen. We are interested in explaining the mechanisms used by this bacterium in interactions with proteins, cells and tissues of the host, which lead to the development of infections and their health and life-threatening complications. We use molecular techniques, in vitro and ex vivo models to characterize these interactions. We base our experimental research on collections of clinical isolates and accompanying patient data to assess the significance of these identified bacterial features in infected patients. Our ambition is to identify new targets for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections.
Research Activities
We implement projects aimed at understanding the importance of Staphylococcus aureus in the development of infections, including:
(i) SONATA14, National Science Center, Reg. No. 2018/31/D/NZ6/02648,
Title: Identification of key genetic determinants of Staphylococcus aureus associated with the development of bloodstream infections.
The aim of the project is to identify the genetic elements of S. aureus associated with the development of blood infections. Due to the complexity of the virulence of staphylococci and the genetic diversity of clinical isolates understanding their relevance requires representative collection of clinical isolates along with associated detailed patient metadata (e.g. information on the carriage status, infection origin, blood markers or information on complications). We use this information to assess the isolates’ disease potential. First, we phenotypically characterize each bacterial strain to quantify its virulence potential e.g. the ability of bacteria to grow in the blood, bind human plasma proteins or form biofilms. Next, we conduct genome wide association studies (GWAS) of bacterial genomes to identify the genetic signatures responsible for the strain properties. Further association analyses of the genomic sequences and phenotypes of these bacteria with collected patients’ metadata validate and uncover their clinical relevance.
(ii) OPUS24, National Science Center, Reg. No. 2022/47/B/NZ6/03379,
Title: Together or not? The relevance of the interplay of staphylocoagulases and staphylokinase in the development of Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Hereby we address the hypothesis that S. aureus exploits different functional strategies to control the amount and structure of deposited fibrin required for adaptation to a specific niché during invasive infections. We characterize and compare those functional strategies in respect to the individual and combined roles and amounts of staphylokinase, as well as coagulases; Coa and vWbp for the disease development using the most relevant in vivo models of pneumonia, infective endocarditis and chronic wound infection in mice humanized for plasminogen (as Sak is exclusively specific for human plasminogen). The study is performed using clinically – relevant S. aureus isolates representing different functional strategies and their isogenic deletion mutants, deficient of the respective genes.
(iii) OPUS25, National Science Center, Reg. No. 2023/49/B/NZ6/04253,
Title: The central role of the human hemostasis system in the formation of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms.
In this project, we investigate the unique features of fibrin-containing S. aureus biofilms and elucidate the mechanisms behind these distinct types of biofilm formation. By combining state-of-the-art microscopy of laboratory biofilms, biophysical analyzes of biofilm mechanics, molecular biology insights and analysis of S. aureus mutant panels, large-scale genotyping and phenotyping of clinical S. aureus isolates from human infections, and analysis of biofilm samples from mouse and patient infection models, we will achieve three goals: (i) we will characterize the distinct structural and mechanical properties of these biofilms, (ii) we will identify the regulatory mechanisms controlling their development, and (iii) we will elucidate the interactions of S. aureus with host cells (phagocytes and platelets) in the context of fibrin-containing biofilms. This project is carried out in cooperation between the Jagiellonian University and the University of Warsaw, as part of the first interdisciplinary and inter-university research group dedicated to the pathogenicity of S. aureus in Poland.
Research collaboration
Dr Francesc Coll, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
Dr Jakub Kwieciński, Wydział Biologii, Biochemii i Biofizyki, Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie
Dr Karol Makuch, Instytut Chemii Fizycznej PAN w Warszawie
Prof. Joan Geoghegan, University of Birmingham, UK
Dr hab. Monika Budnik, dr Halina Marchel, dr Jan Pluta, dr hab. Janusz Trzebicki, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
Dr Katarzyna Holcman, Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytet Jagielloński w Krakowie
Dr Magdalena Mizia-Szubryt, Dr Adrianna Berger-Kucza, Prof. dr hab. Katarzyna Mizia-Stec, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
Dr Elżbieta Jagielska, dr hab. Izabela Sabała, Instytut Medycyny Doświadczalnej i Klinicznej im. Mossakowskiego w Warszawie
Team Leader
Dr. Marta Zapotoczna is a biotechnology graduate of the University of Silesia in Katowice, where she completed her graduate course under the supervision of Prof. dr hab. Zofia Piotrowska-Seget. She completed her Master’s project at the Universitat Bayreuth in Germany under the supervision of Prof. Wolfgang Schumann. She obtained her PhD in Genetics and Microbiology from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland under the supervision of Prof. Timothy J Foster.
Dr. Zapotoczna worked at academia in Ireland (Trinity College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), United Kingdom (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) and Poland (Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS).
Since 2020, Dr. Zapotoczna has been employed at the University of Warsaw, where she manages projects involving basic research financed by the National Science Center.
She is a President of the Warsaw Branch of Polish Society of Microbiologists (microbiology.pl). In 2023, she received the Provost’s distinction for scientific achievements.