Charline Focant

According to Alphafold3 predictions and homology modeling, the Mpc complex is composed of an octameric lipoprotein MpcA anchored at the outer membrane, interacting with a hexameric tunnel-like MpcD, itself associated with an inner membrane complex comprising MpcE and MpcF ATPase. Absence of the Mpc complex modifies the lipid composition of outer membrane vesicles, suggesting that Mpc could be involved in lipid transport between inner and outer membrane.

Great work by Adélie Lannoy on Brucella abortus, just published in The EMBO Journal www.embopress.org/doi/full/10..... Thanks to fantastic collaborators! An enigmatic, perhaps ancestral, protein complex predicted as a tunnel-like structure between membranes. Crucial for survival in macrophages

13.08.2025 13:26 — 👍 7    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0

Role of a TonB-dependent receptor and an oxygenase in iron-dependent copper resistance in Caulobacter crescentus | Journal of Bacteriology Copper is an essential metal for many living organisms, as it helps to drive crucial chemical reactions. However, when present in excess, copper turns toxic due to its high reactivity with biological ...

Hi everyone!

I am thrilled to finally share with you the result of my Ph.D. thesis.

In this study, we used genetics and metal quantifications to study the link between iron and copper homeostasis in Caulobacter crescentus.

journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

24.03.2025 15:20 — 👍 5    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0

Another week, another destination, another conference ! This week I had the chance (again) to present my work through a short talk at the #T4SSconference in Nancy 👩🏽‍🔬🇫🇷. I’m grateful to have had great discussions with such amazing people, specially from our Brucella community! @namurxa.bsky.social

21.02.2025 09:00 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Top: Organisation of the nap island in Neisseria gonorrhoeae FA1090. Grey arrows, flanking genes (NEIS0808, pseudouridine synthase; NEIS0794, histidyl-tRNA synthase); blue arrows, genes coding for GG-containing peptides; orange arrows, genes predicted to be involved in peptide processing and secretion; green arrow, gene of unknown function; pink boxes, Correia elements. Bottom: Transmission electron microscopy images from bacteria in HEPES (T = 75 min). Some wild-type bacteria appear normal (indicated with arrow numbered 1), with many others having a dense (arrow 2) or very dense (arrow 3) cytoplasm, periplasmic expansions (arrow 4), or appearing as ghost cells (arrow 5). Extracellular vesicles (arrow 6) and released cellular content (arrow 7) are also visible. Periplasmic expansions are not observable in the ΔltgA or ΔnapRABC strains. Cytoplasm condensation appears more homogenous in the ΔltgA mutant.

Programmed cell death distinguishes N. gonorrhoeae & N. meningitidis from other #Neisseria species. @katyponcin.bsky.social &co identify a horizontally acquired genetic island encoding peptides that drive #autolysis & human cell lysis, aiding colonization & disease 🧪 @plosbiology.org plos.io/4aP2om9

07.02.2025 18:16 — 👍 10    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0

I had the chance to present my data about VirB localisation in Brucella in an incredible place as Cape Town, South Africa 🌊🇿🇦 Thanks to the organizing committee of BMSV2025 for this opportunity and my colleagues for the amazing time we have together🪘#BMSV2025 @namurxa.bsky.social m

06.02.2025 15:59 — 👍 6    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

Great visit at the Cape Town botanic garden with a nice URBM delegation!... just before the BMSV conference

03.02.2025 11:25 — 👍 6    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

Adélie with the external jury members present at her public defense

Congratulations to Adélie Lannoy who presented her Ph.D. public defense about a Mla-Pqi chimeric complex and a two component system, both crucial for Brucella abortus virulence

31.01.2025 12:07 — 👍 7    🔁 4    💬 2    📌 0

Exciting work of Pauline and Jean-Yves team at URBM (UNamur)

26.11.2024 17:20 — 👍 1    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

Goodbye dinner for Lionel, a great labmate for a few months in the Brucella team at URBM. So happy to have such nice colleagues to work with !

30.11.2024 10:43 — 👍 3    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

Four smiling researchers in the laboratory, with a white labcoat

We are thrilled to welcome four new researchers to the lab! Thanks to them, we will deepen our knowledge of the molecular biology of the Brucella abortus pathogen. Welcome to the excellent atmosphere of the unit (URBM)! 😀🍫🍻🃏🎳

25.11.2024 15:58 — 👍 5    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0