Investigating the archaeal cell envelope by cryoEM

Abstract: The cell envelope acts as the interface between cells and their environment. In archaea, this envelope is often dominated by an S-layer, a para-crystalline protein coat that governs solute exchange, cellular shape, and resilience against environmental stress and viruses.

Additionally, archaea deploy diverse surface filaments driving propulsion, adhesion, biofilm formation, and conjugation. Our research employs cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) to visualise S-layers, pili and archaella at near-atomic resolution, providing fresh insights into their function.

Moreover, we study how viruses find paths through the S-layer upon entry and egress, by co-opting surface filaments and assembling disruptive molecular machines.