Blood in Charge, Bacterium at Large

The proper regulation and distribution of blood through the blood vessels is crucial for efficient oxygen delivery, waste removal, maintenance of stable blood pressure, temperature control, and ensuring a continuous supply of blood to vital organs—factors that are essential for survival. But how does the body determine which areas need more or less blood at any given moment? What happens during physiological challenges such as a drop on a roller coaster? How do we study blood vessels in the laboratory? Additionally, how do alterations in blood vessel function lead to disease?

Have you ever wondered what happens to disease-causing bacteria after they have invaded the human body? For a particular class, they just need to take care of their 'coats,' which happen to be a stylish double layer around them, predominantly made of lipids. Famously known as the Gram-negative type, this group of bacteria has gained the notoriety of being ‘divas’ as they refuse to get eliminated by the host immune system and medical interventions like antibiotics. This flex is mainly imparted by the unique two-layer coating in the bacteria that allows the passage of nutrients but paralyzes the entry of detrimental compounds, thereby acting as a protective shield. But the party does not stop here, as these layers demand high maintenance. For this, the bacteria implement intricate protein machines that facilitate the transport of lipids between the two layers. This, in turn, results in a fascinating and dramatic molecular choreography that is super coordinated and meticulously targeted. In this talk, we will unravel the line dance taking place inside the bacteria while enslaving the human system, which totally obliterates the inherent immune response of the body, and applied therapeutics. This, in turn, will pave the path for the understanding of the ongoing global health crisis of multidrug resistance. And will ultimately precipitate the fact that Gram-negative bacteria are simple, smart, and undoubtedly the undisputed drama queens.