Decoding the regulatory network underlying Staphylococcus aureus gene expression.

What is it about?

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that causes several diseases from pneumonia, urinary tract infections to skin and soft tissue infections. This versatility is enabled, in part, by S. aureus' ability to change its gene expression to respond to challenges presented by the different human host environments. We used a signal extraction algorithm (ICA) to determine the regulatory network that controls these gene expression levels.

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Why is it important?

Due to rise in incidence of antibiotic resistance in S. aureus, World Health Organization has designated it as a 'serious threat' pathogen. As our repertoire of antibiotics against this pathogen diminishes, we must find new ways to combat ensuing infections. Understanding how S. aureus regulates its genes in response to different environmental challenges can point to weaknesses in the bacteria that can be exploited to control and treat the disease.