Joseph Bondy-Denomy, UCSF
Abstract:
Bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems utilize sequence-specific RNA-guided nucleases to defend against bacteriophage (phage) infection. As a counter-measure, numerous phages produce proteins to block the function of the Class 1 CRISPR-Cas systems, which utilize multi-subunit protein complexes to enact immunity. Our group recently developed and utilized novel bioinformatics strategies to identify Class 2 (e.g. Cas9 and Cas12) anti-CRISPR proteins. We have identified anti-CRISPR proteins encoded by phages and mobile genetic elements from many organisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Moraxella bovoculi, and Streptococcus pyogenes, suggesting widespread and common CRISPR-Cas inactivation. More recently, we have identified a phage with a novel mechanism of CRISPR evasion that does not rely on anti-CRISPR proteins, but instead physically segregates its genome from nucleases. I will discuss our progress towards understanding these mechanisms that phages deploy to avoid destruction by CRISPR-Cas and how this work benefits CRISPR-Cas technologies.
Flyer File: denomy_joseph_qsb_flyer.pdf
