RNA-mediated regulatory networks in Legionella pneumophila pneumonia (Schmeck / Marsico)

We have obtained for the first time full coverage of protein-coding and non-coding RNA from the important pneumonia pathogen Legionella pneumophila (mRNA, sRNA) and human macrophages (mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA) during infection by a dual RNA-Seq approach.

We will exploit these data to develop an in vivo applicable therapeutic compound: We will identify suitable candidates by advanced computational network and experimental analysis, validate them in explanted human lung tissue and data of existing clinical cohorts, and finally translate them in mouse infection models, with the final goal of an in vivo applicable cell-permeable inhibitor of RNA function.