Faculty of Science
Microbiology and Immunology

Seminar: Alan Davidson

Alan Davidson

March 28, 2025

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

LSC 3 (Life Sciences Institute - 2350 Health Sciences Mall)

 

Alan Davidson

Adventures with phages and CRISPR

Research in the Davidson lab is focused on phages and bacterial immune systems that protect against phage infection. I will discuss CRISPR-Cas systems and how phages defend themselves against these systems. I will also describe recent structural and functional work on F-pyocins, bactericidal agents produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. F-pyocins are closely related to non-contractile phage tails. We have discovered that the killing mechanism of F-pyocins involves a dramatic conformational transition of a 160 amino acid region from an alpha-helical coiled-coil to a beta-prism. This transition likely provides energy allowing the F-pyocin to puncture the bacterial cell membrane.

  • Seminar

Musqueam First Nation land acknowledegement

We honour xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) on whose ancestral, unceded territory UBC Vancouver is situated. UBC Science is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples so we can advance Reconciliation and ensure traditional ways of knowing enrich our teaching and research.

Learn more: Musqueam First Nation

Microbiology and Immunology

1365–2350 Health Sciences Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6T 1Z3

Faculty of Science

Office of the Dean, Earth Sciences Building
2178–2207 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6T 1Z4
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