2026-2030

OPUS NCN, “RNA biology at the phage-bacteria interface”

The project investigates the molecular warfare between bacteriophages and Acinetobacter baumannii, a top-priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen. We aim to discover how phages use novel RNA-binding proteins to hijack bacterial cells and how bacteria defend themselves through their Hfq chaperone system.

2024-2028

part of RACE-PRIME RNA Platform (International Research Agendas)

We identify and characterize phage-encoded proteins that hijack the bacterial translation machinery, with the goal of developing these proteins as novel antimicrobial agents that could serve as alternatives to conventional antibiotics.

2024-2029

EMBO IG, “The role of bacterial sRNAs interaction with distal face of chaperone protein Hfq”

The funding will enable us to establish our laboratory and advance our research program investigating the molecular mechanisms of bacterial RNA regulation and post-transcriptional gene control.

2023-2028

Sonata bis NCN 2024-2029 “Dynamics of RNA degrading complexes in bacteria"

The project investigates how bacteria coordinate essential processes of gene expression: RNA-guided regulation, translation, and RNA degradation. Using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, we visualize in real-time how small regulatory RNAs find and silence their target mRNAs with the help of the Hfq chaperone protein, and how RNA degradation machinery works together with actively translating ribosomes.