The type III secretion system is a trans-membrane molecular machine consisting of over 30 kinds of proteins and is widely spread in gram-negative bacteria. It is firstly discovered in pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella (Salmonella enterica) and Yersinia (Yersinia Pestis), and is identified later in a series of gram-negative pathogens and symbiotic bacteria.

      Further studies have shown that type Ⅲ secretion systems in these pathogenic bacteria play an important role in pathogenic process. Bacteria can inject the encoding effector protein through type Ⅲ secretion system into the host cell, and then interfere and manipulate the physiological and biochemical process of the host to benefit their own survival. Deactivation of the type Ⅲ secretion system leads to the lost of infectious ability and pathogenicity of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the type Ⅲ secretion system is an efficient transport system and a complex virulence system for pathogenic bacteria. Hence, type Ⅲ secretion system is an important target for anti-infective drugs and potential macromolecular-delivery-protein-carrier.

      Our lab focuses on the functions and molecular mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria’s type Ⅲ secretion systems and its secreted effector protein.