Type IV secretion systems in general and in the lab

Type IV secretion systems (T4SS) are multi-protein complexes that can translocate DNA and protein substrates across the cell envelope of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Three types of T4SS have been described: conjugation systems, defined as machines that translocate DNA to other bacteria by a contact-dependent process; effector translocator systems, functioning to deliver proteins or other effector molecules to eukaryotic target cells; and DNA release or uptake systems that translocate DNA to or from the extracellular milieu. As the only bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoea uses a T4SS to secrete single stranded DNA into the medium. We aim to use this T4SS in a synthetic biology context. In the first part of my talk I will try introduce you to type IV secretion systems in a way I hope will make you share my fascination. In the second part I will talk about my own present work with the Neisseria gonorrhoea T4SS.