29. March 2024

Public LeCo Seminar 19 April 2022: Evolution of Legionella pneumophila in water systems – adaptation to superheat and flush (in English)

19 April 2022, 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Free online participation: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83091194422?pwd=eGhPaHhieE43K0NuRjZJVHdEejVSUT09 (Code: 406151)

For questions: email hidden; JavaScript is required (041 349 38 44)

In another LeCo seminar, invited speaker Professor Dr Sébastien Faucher (McGill University, Canada) will give us an insight into his legionella research:

Abstract

The human pathogen Legionella pneumophila inhabits engineered water systems, where it grows in amoebas and ciliates and interacts with other microorganisms. Superheat and flush is used to control L. pneumophila in water distribution systems. Unfortunately, L. pneumophila typically reappears in the system after a short time. Presumably, it survives in dead-ends that only reach the required temperature for a short period of time, creating selective pressures to evolve higher heat shock resistance. We used and experimental evolution strategy to identify point mutations that increase resistance of L. pneumophila to heat shock.

The presentation will be given in English.

Invited Speaker: Prof. Dr. Sébastien P. Faucher

  • 2003: He graduated from Université de Montréal in Microbiology and Immunology.
  • 2007: He obtained his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Université de Montréal. The subject of his thesis was the identification of virulence genes in Salmonella typhi.
  • Between 2007 and 2010 he was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University in New York City. He conducted research on Legionella pneumophila under the supervision of Howard Shuman.
  • 2010: He returned to Montréal to start a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Philippe Gros at McGill University. During this time, he studied the genetic determinants involved in cerebral malaria.
  • Since 2011: Assistant professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences