Maria Rodriguez-Fernandez

I'm a research associate at the IIM-CSIC (Spanish Council for Scientific Research) based in Vigo, Spain.

“Ion and solute homeostasis in enteric bacteria: an integrated view generated from the interface of modelling and biological experimentation”

The principal research objective is to understand, via molecular analysis and predictive modelling, the regulation of ionic homeostasis in bacteria and its role in regulating the integration of gene expression and metabolism. Bacterial cells attempt to regulate the cytoplasmic constitution close to an optimum for cell growth – pH ~7.8, ~0.3 M K+ and ~0.2 M anions, principally glutamate. This is effected by environmentally-driven regulation of the activity and expression of a group of solute transporters and ion channels. Modification of the cytoplasmic constitution plays a key role in modulating the topology of DNA, the activity of RNA polymerase subunits augmented by very specific effects on regulatory transcription factors. The effects of these integrated elements are not only the potentiation of growth, but also the modulation of the survival potential of pathogenic organisms since many of the environmental cues perceived for cytoplasmic homeostasis are also signals for the expression of pathogenicity determinants. The core molecular biology of many of the regulatory elements is known making this a tractable problem for systems analysis and modelling. Moreover, the understanding provided by an in-depth insight into cytoplasmic homeostasis offers the missing link that perturbs many attempts at modelling cell function.

The specific aims of this programme are:

a) Analysis of K+ homeostasis in E. coli including stimulus perception, signal transduction and integration, response and adaptation of all K+ uptake systems.

b) Analysis of the control over glutathione adduct-regulated KefB K+ efflux systems that responds to chemical cues in E. coli.

c) Protein diffusion and folding in the cytoplasm: the role of ionic strength and osmoprotectants.

d) An integrated model for the regulation of cytoplasmic constitution and of the role of cytoplasmic ionic strength in regulating gene expression.

The work builds upon the international excellence demonstrated by the members of the team. The proposed work builds upon established links between the research groups and fundamental research programmes in their laboratories that involve both quantitative and qualitative modelling. The successful delivery of the programme will deliver new insights into the true potential of systems biology as a tool for understanding microbial cell biology.

Mathematical modeling of biological systems. Computational mathematics and computer based problem solving. Statistically and biologically inspired optimization algorithms. Metaheuristics. Model identification and parameter estimation. Local and global sensitivity analysis. Optimal experimental design.

Maria Rodriguez-Fernandez

Process Engineering Group

Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas

Spanish Council for Scientific Research (C.S.I.C.)

C/ Eduardo Cabello, 6

36208 Vigo

Spain

Tel: +(34)986-231-930 (Ext. 232)

Fax: +(34)986-292-762

Email: mrodriguez@iim.csic.es