Anti-bacteriophage defense systems
Bacteriophages and contractile injection systems
Bacterial flagellar motor
News
April 14, 2025
Welcome Victoria!
Victoria joins us on the UUBMB Wood Whelan Research Fellowship to work on her project "Structural and Functional Characterization of the Host Recognition Machinery in Bacteriophage J-1 Using Cryo-EM"
March 6, 2025
MD studies on the effect of glycosylation on the structural dynamics and activity of ATG9A!
A wonderful collaboration with the Papaleo group, gaining insights into ATG9A.
Meet the Taylor Lab
Zorya senses phage invasion
A zoom-in of our illustration of the mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defense system: The disruption to the peptidoglycan layer during phage infection is sensed by the membrane-bound ZorAB complex. A signal is sent down the tail of ZorA into the cytoplasm. Structure and mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defence system, Nature, 2025. Image created by Dan W. Nowakowski, N Molecular Systems
The Zorya effectors
A zoom-in of our illustration of the mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defense system: the signal is sent down the tail of ZorA activating the effectors ZorC and ZorD, which then degrade the infecting DNA. Structure and mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defence system, Nature, 2025. Image created by Dan W. Nowakowski, N Molecular Systems
A miniature motor powers the bacterial flagellar complex
This image shows the bacterial flagellar motor powered by its stator units (orange) highlighted in our work, Structure and Function of Stator Units of the Bacterial Flagellar Motor. Cell, 2020. Image created by Dan W. Nowakowski, N Molecular Systems
Ion-driven rotary membrane motors
A graphical abstract depicting the many functions of ion-driven rotary motors. Highlighted in our work: Ion-driven rotary membrane motors: From structure to function, Curr. Opp. Str. Bio., 2024. Image created by Freddie Martin, using Blender and the Molecular Nodes package by Brady Johnston.
Structure of a sodium-driven 5:2 motor
Render of PDB ID: 8BRD, the structure of the sodium-driven stator unit PomAB. Resolved sodium ions are shown at glowing yellow spheres. Highlighted in our work: Ion selectivity and rotor coupling of the Vibrio flagellar sodium-driven stator unit, Nat Comms, 2023. Image created by Freddie Martin, using Blender and the Molecular Nodes package by Brady Johnston.
Multidrug transporter MRP4
Render of PDB ID: 8BJF, the structure of wildtype human MRP4 in the inward-facing conformation. Highlighted in our work: Structural and mechanistic basis of substrate transport by the multidrug transporter MRP4, Structure, 2023. Image created by Freddie Martin, using Blender and the Molecular Nodes package by Brady Johnston.
The baseplate of phage T4
Render of PDB ID: 5IV7, the structure of the post-attachment T4 baseplate. Highlighted in our work: Structure of the T4 baseplate and its function in triggering sheath contraction, Nature, 2016. Image created by Freddie Martin, using Blender and the Molecular Nodes package by Brady Johnston.
Zorya senses phage invasion
A zoom-in of our illustration of the mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defense system: The disruption to the peptidoglycan layer during phage infection is sensed by the membrane-bound ZorAB complex. A signal is sent down the tail of ZorA into the cytoplasm. Structure and mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defence system, Nature, 2025. Image created by Dan W. Nowakowski, N Molecular Systems
The Zorya effectors
A zoom-in of our illustration of the mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defense system: the signal is sent down the tail of ZorA activating the effectors ZorC and ZorD, which then degrade the infecting DNA. Structure and mechanism of the Zorya anti-phage defence system, Nature, 2025. Image created by Dan W. Nowakowski, N Molecular Systems
A miniature motor powers the bacterial flagellar complex
This image shows the bacterial flagellar motor powered by its stator units (orange) highlighted in our work, Structure and Function of Stator Units of the Bacterial Flagellar Motor. Cell, 2020. Image created by Dan W. Nowakowski, N Molecular Systems
Ion-driven rotary membrane motors
A graphical abstract depicting the many functions of ion-driven rotary motors. Highlighted in our work: Ion-driven rotary membrane motors: From structure to function, Curr. Opp. Str. Bio., 2024. Image created by Freddie Martin, using Blender and the Molecular Nodes package by Brady Johnston.
Structure of a sodium-driven 5:2 motor
Render of PDB ID: 8BRD, the structure of the sodium-driven stator unit PomAB. Resolved sodium ions are shown at glowing yellow spheres. Highlighted in our work: Ion selectivity and rotor coupling of the Vibrio flagellar sodium-driven stator unit, Nat Comms, 2023. Image created by Freddie Martin, using Blender and the Molecular Nodes package by Brady Johnston.
Multidrug transporter MRP4
Render of PDB ID: 8BJF, the structure of wildtype human MRP4 in the inward-facing conformation. Highlighted in our work: Structural and mechanistic basis of substrate transport by the multidrug transporter MRP4, Structure, 2023. Image created by Freddie Martin, using Blender and the Molecular Nodes package by Brady Johnston.
The baseplate of phage T4
Render of PDB ID: 5IV7, the structure of the post-attachment T4 baseplate. Highlighted in our work: Structure of the T4 baseplate and its function in triggering sheath contraction, Nature, 2016. Image created by Freddie Martin, using Blender and the Molecular Nodes package by Brady Johnston.