Abstract:  

Capsid-forming phage-inducible chromosomal islands (cf-PICIs) are genetic elements capable of spreading across bacterial species. They form small-sized capsids to package their DNA, requiring only phage tails to create infective particles. In this talk, we will unravel a unique mechanism that enables them to transfer between different bacteria. Since cf-PICIs encode virulence genes, their spread contributes to bacterial evolution. Experimental evidence highlights how cf-PICIs use this strategy for inter-species transfer, providing valuable insights into bacterial ecology and potential therapeutic applications.

Biography:  

Professor José Penadés, currently the Director of the Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology at Imperial College London, has had a distinguished career in microbiology. Originally from Agullent, Spain, he was inspired by his grandfather’s curiosity and pursued Veterinary Medicine. His research journey began with work on Staphylococcus aureus and biofilm formation, leading to a pivotal discovery in 2001 of Bap, the first protein linked to biofilm production. This steered his focus toward S. aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) and phages. Throughout his career, he has held key positions at the Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, the Spanish National Research Council, and the University of Glasgow. His work has been shaped by collaborations with esteemed scientists, contributing significantly to bacterial genetics and antimicrobial resistance research. At Imperial College, he continues to lead groundbreaking studies on bacterial pathogenesis and mobile genetic elements.