Dr Jeanne Salje - Cambridge Institute for Medical Research

Dr Jeanne Salje

Cells within cells: Orientia tsutsugamushi and the obligate intracellular bacterial lifestyle.

Orientia tsutsugamushi is the etiological agent of scrub typhus, a neglected but life-threatening vector-borne disease that poses a growing threat to public health across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Unlike many intracellular bacteria, O. tsutsugamushi is an obligate cytoplasmic pathogen, replicating freely within the host cell cytosol rather than within a vacuolar
compartment. This unusual lifestyle is supported by a highly non-canonical cell envelope whose structure and composition deviate markedly from classical Gram-negative paradigms. In this talk, I will highlight recent advances from our group that shed light on the unique biology of O. tsutsugamushi. Specifically, I will discuss our structural and functional analyses of the bacterial cell envelope, revealing adaptations that shape its interactions with host membranes and immune surveillance. I will also present new findings on the intracellular infection cycle, focusing on the molecular mechanisms governing bacterial trafficking along host microtubules, as well as the dynamic interplay between O. tsutsugamushi and key host cell factors. Together, these insights refine our understanding of how this highly adapted pathogen subverts eukaryotic cell biology to support survival and dissemination.