Speaker: Jeanne Salje, Rutgers PHRI, Newark

Title: Cells within cells: obligate intracellular bacteria and their differentiation within host cells

Abstract: Obligate intracellular bacteria impose a significant burden on human and veterinary health, with chlamydial and rickettsial species comprising the two major groups of such organisms. Our group studies Orientia tsutsugamushi, one of the most severe rickettsial pathogens, which is now known to be much more prevalent and more widespread than previously appreciated. As an obligate intracellular bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi can only grow and divide when located within the interior of another living cell. I will discuss our recent findings that Orientia tsutsugamushi differentiates into distinct stages through its 7-day infection of a single cell and will discuss how this impacts our understanding of environment sensing and gene regulation in the intimate relationship between eukaryotic host cells and the bacteria that invade them.