Membrane Trafficking and Signalling in Bacteria
Group of the Microbiology, Adaptation and Pathogeny lab, UMR5240.
Our research focuses on understanding the virulence mechanisms and genomic diversity in plant pathogens, particularly within the Pectobacteriaceae family. We investigate how bacteria like Dickeya sp. utilize virulence factors and secretion systems to deploy proteins critical for pathogenicity. Additionally, we explore the production and regulation of secondary metabolites by Dickeya and Pectobacterium, which serve diverse roles from virulence to environmental adaptation. These metabolites, including antibiotics and siderophores, are essential for bacterial survival and competition. Finally, we examine genomic and phenotypic variability among Pectobacteriaceae, identifying new species and comparing genomes to understand evolutionary relationships. This work provides insights into both bacterial pathogenicity and adaptation.
Potato tuber infected with Pectobacterium that entered the tuber through the stolon. 10.1146/annurev-phyto-080417-045906
Current members
● Vladimir Shevchik - HDR, DR2 CNRS
● Erwan Gueguen - HDR, MC UCB Lyon 1 (personal CV)
● Agnès Rodrigue - HDR, MC INSA de Lyon
● Yvan Rahrbé - HDR, DR INRAE
● Guy Condemine - HDR, DR2 CNRS Emeritus
● Nicole Corte-Pattat - HDR, DR1 CNRS Emeritus
● Géraldine Effantin - IE CNRS
● Véronique Utzinger - TC UCBL
● Eloïse Guignard - ADT UCBL
● Quentin Dubois - PhD Student (2023-2026)
● Juan Felipe Salazar - Postdoc (2025-2026)
● Lisa Basso - PhD Student (2022-2025)
Past members
● Michel Droux - CR CNRS (Past)
● Florence Ruaudel - TCS UCB (Past)
● Natalia Guschinskaya - ATER (2018-2019)
● Julie Baltenneck - IE INSA ANR (2020-2024)
● Kevin Royet - IE CNRS (2021)
● Melvin Renault - IR CNRS ANR (2018-2021)
● Bastien Le Derout - TC UCB (2021-2022)
● Lu Lu Lui - PhD Student (2016-2019)
● Céline Borde - PhD Student (2017-2020)
● Shiheng Zhang - PhD Student (2016-2021)
● Typhaine Brual - PhD Student (2020-2023)
● Xavier Nicolai - PhD Student (2020-2023)
Team in january 2025
At MTSB team, we are always looking for talented and motivated individuals to join our dynamic team and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries.
Why Choose MTSB team?
Pioneering Research in Bacterial Pathogenesis: Our team primarily investigates the adaptation and virulence mechanisms of plant pathogenic pectinolytic bacteria, particularly within the Pectobacteriaceae family.
We foster a culture of open discussion, mutual respect, and teamwork. You'll work alongside experienced principal investigators. Our team has a strong record of securing research grants (e.g., multiple ANR grants) and publishing high-impact research. Our lab utilizes a range of techniques including molecular genetics, structural biology, and high-throughput analyses like Tn-seq to address complex biological questions.
We are deeply committed to the growth of our researchers. We have a strong track record in training, having supervised 7 PhD students and numerous Master's (9 M2) and undergraduate students (24 BTS, IUT, Licence/M1) between 2019-2024. We actively support career advancement, as evidenced by promotions within our team.
Opportunities to Join Us:
We welcome applications and inquiries from passionate individuals interested in molecular microbiology and bacterial pathogenesis at various stages of their careers:
For Students (Internships & Research Projects):
Our team regularly hosts students from diverse academic backgrounds (including BTS, IUT, Licence/Bachelor's, Master's) for short or long-term internships. If you have a keen interest in molecular microbiology approaches and are looking to gain hands-on research experience in areas like bacterial genetics, secretion systems, or secondary metabolism, particularly within Pectobacteriaceae or related molecular systems, we encourage you to reach out. We have a history of welcoming international students, for example, through Erasmus programs.
How to Inquire/Apply: Please send your CV, a cover letter detailing your research interests in molecular microbiology and your availability, and any relevant academic transcripts to one of the contacts below. Please state "Student Internship Inquiry" in your subject line.
For PhD Candidates:
Are you looking to pursue a PhD in a stimulating and supportive environment focusing on molecular microbiology and the virulence mechanisms of plant pathogenic bacteria? We accept PhD students through the relevant doctoral schools and have a strong record of PhD supervision. We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a strong academic background in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, or related fields.
How to Express Interest: If you are interested in pursuing your PhD with us, please email your CV, academic transcripts, a statement of your research interests in molecular microbiology (particularly relating to Pectobacteriaceae, Dickeya, T2SS, or similar fields). Please use the subject line "PhD Inquiry: [Your Name]".
For Postdoctoral Researchers:
If our research on bacterial pathogenesis, Type 2 Secretion Systems, secondary metabolism in Dickeya, or mechanisms of bacterial adaptation resonates with your expertise, and you are looking for a postdoctoral position, we would be very interested in hearing from you. We are also open to discussing proposals if you are interested in developing your own research project that leverages our expertise in molecular microbiology, even if it involves other environmental bacteria where a collaborative approach would be fruitful.
How to Apply/Inquire: Please send your CV, a cover letter detailing your research interests and how they align with our lab (or your proposed project idea), and contact information for 2-3 referees to one of the contacts below. Please use the subject line "Postdoc Inquiry: [Your Name]".
For Visiting International Researchers:
MTSB has a strong tradition of international collaboration and regularly hosts international researchers for visits, sabbaticals, and collaborative research stays. If you are interested in spending time with us to exchange ideas and expertise in areas such as molecular microbiology or bacterial pathogenesis, or if you have a project on other environmental bacteria where our molecular microbiology expertise could foster a valuable collaboration, please don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss possibilities.
How to Inquire: Please contact one of us with your CV and a brief proposal outlining your intended visit or collaboration. Please use the subject line "Visiting Researcher Inquiry: [Your Name]".
Contact Us:
We encourage you to reach out to the principal investigator whose research areas align most closely with your interests, or you can contact any of us for general inquiries:
Dr. Erwan Gueguen: erwan.gueguen at univ-lyon1.fr
Dr. Vladimir Shevchik: vladimir.shevchik at insa-lyon.fr
Dr. Agnès Rodrigue: agnes.rodrigue at insa-lyon.fr
When contacting us, please clearly state the type of position or visit you are interested in.
Spontaneous Applications:
Even if no specific positions are advertised that match your profile, we are always keen to hear from candidates passionate about our research themes. If you believe you can make a significant contribution to the MTSB team, please feel free to send a speculative application (CV and cover letter) to one of the email addresses above.
We look forward to hearing from you and potentially welcoming you to our team in Lyon!
● ANR deCaP - Erwan Gueguen (P) - 2023-2026
● ANR OBOPHICS - Guy Condemine (P) - 2022-2026
● ANR Synergy_T2SS - Vladimir Shevchik (P) - 2020-2024
● ANR Articute - Yvan Rahbé (C) - 2022-2025
● ANR Tn-Phyto - Guy Condemine (C) - 2019-2024
● AAP-recherche FR BioEnviS - Erwan Gueguen (P) - 2022
● PHC POLONIUM - Erwan Gueguen (C) - 2022
● AAP-recherche FR BioEnviS - Yvan Rahbé (P) - 2022
● Fondation Pierre Vérots - Nicole Cotte-Pattat (P) - 2021
● CNRS Chitibact Pre-maturation - Erwan Gueguen (C) - 2020
● AAP major equipment grant UCBL - Erwan Gueguen (C) - 2020
● AAP-recherche FR BioEnviS - Vladimir Shevchik (P) - 2020
● AAP-recherche FR BioEnviS - Nicole Cotte-Pattat (P) - 2020
● Fondation Pierre Vérots - Nicole Cotte-Pattat (C) - 2017-2020
● Programme COMSUP - Agnès Rodrigue (C) - 2017-2020
● NEMERA Private Contract - Agnès Rodrigue (C) - 2023-2024
● PIANOVIS Private Contract - Agnès Rodrigue (C) - 2024
● Inov3PT Research Contract - Erwan Gueguen (C) - 2023
● Inov3PT Research Contract - Erwan Gueguen (C) - 2022
● Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology in Gdańsk, Poland
● Denis Faure (I2BC, Gif-sur-Yvette)
● Inov3PT
● L. Pritchard (University of Glasgow, UK)
● M. Arif (University of Hawaii, USA)
● C. Ahrens (Agroscope, Switzerland)
● Prof. R.W. Pickersgill (Queen Mary University, London)
● Dr O. Francetic (Institut Pasteur)
● N. Izadi-Pruneyre (Institut Pasteur)
● R. Voulhoux (UMR 7283, Marseille)
● M. Arthur (Sorbonne Paris)
● S. Mesnage (Sheffield University, UK)
● Robert Czajkowski (Univ. Gdańsk)
● Laetitia Attaiech (CNRS/CIRI Lyon)
● Marie-Anne Barny (INRAE/iEES Paris)
● Odile Berge (INRAE Avignon)
● Florence Wisniewski (Univ. Lyon 1/LEM)
● Sylwia Jafra (Univ. Gdańsk)
● Sarah Bigot (CNRS Lyon)
● Romain Mercier (CNRS/IMM Marseille)
On the period 2019-2024, Total publications: 46
Total original articles: 39, including 3 available in preprint in 2024
Team’s direct contribution: 19/39 articles were directly produced by the team (first and/or last authors).
High-quality publications: 16 out of the 19 team-led articles were published in first-quartile journals (Q1).
Link here to the complete list of publications on the period 2019-2024