Understanding Infectious Disease by Studying Bacterial Immunity

Patients with cystic fibrosis are often infected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that infects the lungs and prevents breathing, often causing death. P. aeruginosa itself can also be infected by viruses, which can affect the clinical outcomes of cystic fibrosis patients. “Just like humans get infected by bacteria, the bacteria get infected by viruses,” said Rachel Whitaker, a professor of microbiology, member of the BCXT theme and leader of the IGOH theme at the IGB. “There’s this nested, layered set of ecosystems and interactions of infection.” Whitaker and her graduate students, Whitney England and Ted Kim, had the idea to use P. aeruginosa as a kind of “model system” for understanding how bacteria’s interactions with viruses may affect human health. Their findings, published in mSystems, provide insight into this bacterium’s diversity and immune system. Scientists believe P. aeruginosa likely comes from the environment. Most serious infections of the bacterium happen in hospitals.