Tone Tønjum

The stability of microbial genomes and gene pools is constantly challenged by horisontal gene transfer and recombination, as well as DNA damage. Mechanisms for rapid genome variation, adaptation and maintenance are a necessity to ensure microbial fitness and survival in rapidly changing environments.

Understanding microbial pathogenesis, horizontal gene transfer and DNA repair mechanisms requires an interdisciplinary approach of molecular biology, genomics and bacterial physiology. Studies on transformation and components providing genome maintenance in genetic model bacteria are most important for understanding the balance between cellular fitness for survival and disease development.

In particular, we are focusing on the identification of DNA binding components contributing to the neisserial transformation system, which we suggest is coupled to pilus retraction. We are also elucidating the effect of defects in DNA repair on microbial fitness and virulence in animal models.

At present the group addressing these challenges in molecular and cellular biology and medicine includes ten people and has strong international networks.