NLM DIR Seminar Schedule

Abstract:

A key focus of our research has been the exploration of conflict systems—dynamic arms races between cellular hosts and their pathogens or competitors. Through these studies, we have uncovered a rich diversity of mechanisms, encompassing both universally conserved strategies and system-specific adaptations. In the first part of my talk, I will highlight an emerging theme: the pivotal role of the cellular energy currency NAD+ and its derivatives. These molecules act as both signals and targets in the molecular conflicts between hosts and pathogens. I will specifically present our findings on NAD+–ADPr networks across the viral world, illustrating how viruses co-opt these systems to manipulate host biology. In the second part, I will shift the focus to prokaryotic conflict systems and discuss how their study has reshaped our understanding of innate and adaptive immunity in eukaryotes. These investigations have uncovered previously unrecognized immune mechanisms across the eukaryotic landscape, offering new insights into the evolution of cellular defense strategies and their functional significance across diverse life forms.