THE ROLE OF THE NON-CANONICAL INFLAMMASOME IN INNATE IMMUNITY

The proposal aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms leading to caspase-11-mediated clearing of Legionella infection. Preliminary data indicates caspase-11 is necessary for the fusion of Legionella-containing vacuoles with lysosomes, a process requiring actin polymerization and depolymerization. The research will utilize state-of-the-art techniques including 3D confocal microscopy, high resolution SIM-S microscopy, RNA seq, and proteomics analyses to further explore these mechanisms and the role of newly identified molecules cleaved by caspase-11 that regulate Legionella restriction in macrophages.