Hosted by the Stanford Mass Spec Group and Protein Metrics, this talk delves into a project that has used advanced mass spectrometry techniques to explore a longstanding question in bacterial structure.

The discussion focuses on the pathogen Coxiella burnetii, which causes Q fever in humans and exhibits a complex life cycle that includes both intracellular and environmental phases. We explore the molecular mechanisms behind its ability to remain dormant and resilient, leveraging mass spectrometry to unravel the structure of its cell envelope and the significant role of LD-transpeptidases in its developmental transitions.