Research projects of current students

Andreas Schramm: Start date: Aug. 2009; Nationality: German; Diploma thesis: "Characterization of EspC, a hybrid histidine kinase involved in regulation of the developmental program of Myxococcus xanthus". (2008) Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Research group: AG Higgs, Department of Ecophysiology, MPI; Current research project description:
My research focuses on characterization of an unusual signal transduction system that regulates the complex developmental program in the deltaproteobacterium, Myxococcus xanthus. This signal transduction system consists of two hybrid histidine kinases (EspA and EspC) that are members of the two-component signal transduction (TCST) protein family. TCST systems typically consist of a sensor kinase and a response regulator which couple perception of external signals to regulation of adaptive responses via histidine-aspartate phosphorelay. In contrast, the Esp system consists of two hybrid histidine kinases that function together in a signaling complex. I am using a combination of genetic, biochemical, and cell biology assays to define the signal flow within this system and its role in regulation of the M. xanthus developmental program.