Bonilla lab at University
of San Diego
Stress is a fact of life for bacteria in a dynamic environment. My lab focuses on the general stress response sigma factor, SigB, and its role in cell physiology. B. subtilis uses the stressosome, a multiprotein complex, to sense its environment and RsbPQ to sense energy stress. We are interested in teasing out the role of these SigB regulatory proteins during stress, the molecular interactions that control their activities, and the cellular functions responsible for the physiological response during stress. We approach these questions using genetics, bioinformatics, molecular and microbiology techniques. Our findings will elucidate the genetic and molecular determinants of bacterial resilience.