Speaker

Jade Wang, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Professor of Bacteriology

Time

2025.04.30 16:00-17:30

Abstract

Bacterial alarmones, such as (p)ppGpp, are critical signaling molecules that enable bacteria to survive under stress, including nutrient deprivation and antibiotic exposure. While their roles in regulating gene expression and protein synthesis are well-established, our recent work has uncovered an additional key function: the rapid and coordinated remodeling of cellular metabolism through direct regulation of enzymatic activity, particularly in purine nucleotide synthesis. This results in the tight regulation of the essential nucleotide GTP, a central driver of growth and a potential source of toxicity under stress conditions. In this talk, I will summarize work from my laboratory on how this metabolic regulation enables bacterial resilience, bridging molecular mechanisms with systems-level adaptation. I will also highlight the critical role of GTP in bacterial physiology, its connection to antibiotic persistence, and the broader implications for understanding bacterial stress responses and survival strategies.

Bio

Jade Wang Lab combines genetics and biochemistry with high-throughput approaches for understanding the molecular details and network properties of stress signaling, regulation and evolution. Our goal is to establish fundamental principles using model organisms such as the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis and the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli and apply our research to pathogenic bacteria to solve global issues including widespread antibiotic resistance in pathogens.