T6SS-mediated bacterial antagonism in the classroom

  1. Alejandro Tejada-Arranz
  2. Peter Ringel
  3. Lin Lin
  4. Marek Basler

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Abstract

The study of bacterial antagonism, and specifically Type VI secretion System (T6SS)-mediated antagonism, has gained momentum over the last decade in research laboratories across the world. The T6SS is a molecular machine that mediates interbacterial antagonism as well as interactions with the host in the case of pathogenic or commensal organisms. Here, we describe a set of protocols and materials that can be used as resources to develop practical courses to study the assembly and firing of this machinery. These resources help train students on basic molecular biology techniques, secretion and competition assays as well as fluorescence microscopy. The full set of activities is appropriate for students at the level of 2nd-3rd year students in the Bachelor of Biology and can be carried out it 4 days requiring minimal specialized equipment. This course allows the students to familiarize themselves with standard microbiology laboratory approaches and learn how to study the function of a complex molecular machinery.

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  2. Version published to 10.1099/acmi.0.001128.v2 on Access Microbiology
  3. Version published to 10.1099/acmi.0.001128.v1 on Access Microbiology
  4. Access Microbiology

    Comments to Author

    The authors describe the development of a practical course aimed at stage 2-3 biology students focused on the molecular mechanism of the Type-6 secretion system. The practical involves both in silico and lab based activities using strains that have been deposited in an open repository where others can access them. Most of the equipment and chemicals described would be readily available in many third level teaching laboratories making the practical very tractable and a very useful resource for those teaching microbiology at this level. The authors acknowledge that it was unfortunate they did not have ethical approval to publish student feedback which would have greatly strengthened the manuscript but otherwise it is a very well written and useful communication. I have put a few very minor suggestions below for improvement of the manuscript. Minor suggestions/corrections Line 41 - "that enable to study the assembly" suggest to change to "that enable the study of the assembly" . Line 42 - "which allow to develop strategies" suggest to change to "which allow the development of strategies". Line 71 - "this activity requires the utilization of dangerous chemical". I think this line needs a little more clarity on what chemicals are specifically being referred to here…. The authors refer to TCA and acetone later on but I think these should be specified here too if these are the chemicals referred to.

    Please rate the manuscript for methodological rigour

    Good

    Please rate the quality of the presentation and structure of the manuscript

    Very good

    To what extent are the conclusions supported by the data?

    Strongly support

    Do you have any concerns of possible image manipulation, plagiarism or any other unethical practices?

    No

    Is there a potential financial or other conflict of interest between yourself and the author(s)?

    No

    If this manuscript involves human and/or animal work, have the subjects been treated in an ethical manner and the authors complied with the appropriate guidelines?

    Yes