Role of metal transport in Salmonella Typhi killing in macrophages

Salmonella Typhi is a intracellular bacterium causing typhoid fever, a life-threatening bacterial infection. Recently most of typhoid cases are caused by multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhi. We recently identified a novel host defence pathway preventing Salmonella Typhi infection and other bacterial infections. The antimicrobial molecules used by this pathway to kill bacteria are unknown. Heavy metals, such as copper and zinc, are toxic for bacteria, but their role in controlling bacterial infections in the host are still poorly understood. This project aims at understanding if heavy metals are employed by this novel antimicrobial pathway to kill Salmonella Typhi. The results will contribute to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to bacterial infections and will help develop new strategies to treat bacterial infections.