{"id":23,"date":"2026-08-18T11:38:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T11:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/anton\/home\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T08:15:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T08:15:24","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/groups\/anton\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Anton group investigates the role of proteins of the innate immune system at the host-pathogen interface using in situ<\/em> cryo electron microscopy approaches.<\/p>\n Edit<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Leonie Anton<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n \n

\n Group Leader (incoming)\n <\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n

\n ORCID:<\/span>\n \n 0000-0003-0008-2141\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n \n Edit\n <\/a>\n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Previous and current research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The continued rise in anti-microbial resistance requires more research into the fundamental biology of bacteria and parasites and how they interact with and impact their hosts on a molecular level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To understand the native translational landscape of the malaria parasite,<\/em> we infected red blood cells with Plasmodium falciparum<\/em> and used in situ<\/em> cryo electron tomography<\/strong> and subtomogram averaging (STA)<\/strong> to reconstruct the Pf<\/em>80S ribosome to high resolution. Extensive classification revealed the relative abundance of different Pf<\/em>80S translational states. Treatment with the translation inhibitor cabamiquine revealed a shift in these intermediates suggesting a potential mode of action of this drug (Anton L*, Cheng W*, Haile M*, 2025).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By using cryo correlative light and electron microscopy (cryoCLEM) on cryo focused ion beam milled (cryoFIB) <\/strong>samples, we could visualize the interaction between the host immune protein Guanylate binding protein 1 (GBP1) and the surface of intracellular Salmonella enterica<\/em>. With this approach, we were able to reveal perturbation and disruption of the outer membrane of GBP1-coated cytosolic Salmonella<\/em> inside an infected host cell (Began J, 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 1: Overview of methods and approaches in cellular structural biology.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Future projects and goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arms Race at the host-pathogen interface<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interactions between host and pathogen are shaped by the requirement to overcome the other\u2019s and defend their own discrete compartment. Proteins of the innate immune system<\/strong> developed strategies to recognize universal molecular signatures present on the surface of vastly different pathogens. In turn, pathogens evolved mechanisms on a molecular and ultrastructural level<\/strong> to avoid detection and clearance by cell-autonomous factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using cellular structural biology approaches that preserve the interface between host and pathogen in near-native conditions, we aim to reveal the molecular arms-race<\/strong> and uncover key concepts of host mediated detection and clearance of pathogens. We will employ both apicomplexan parasites and bacteria<\/strong> as model pathogens and, to ensure that the host-pathogen interface is preserved, use as native-as-possible infection conditions through advanced cell culture methods including organoids<\/strong>. The different approaches of electron microscopy like single particle cryoEM (SPA), in situ<\/em> cryoET, cryoFIB milling, STA, cryoCLEM and cryo lift out<\/strong> will enable reconstruction of ultrastructural elements and protein complexes involved in host-pathogen interactions. Based on these findings we will investigate fundamental mechanisms of the molecular arms-race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main research questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • What are the ultrastructural elements enabling pathogens to escape immune detection either for persistence or to promote spread through the host?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • What are the underlying molecular mechanisms of how proteins of the innate immune system can detect and destroy intracellular pathogens?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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