Martin Fraunholz

PD Dr. Martin Fraunholz is a senior researcher and group leader at the Chair of Microbiology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Germany. Since 2010, he has led an independent research group investigating the intracellular lifestyle of Staphylococcus aureus and its interactions with host cells, focusing on bacterial virulence factors and host responses.

Education:

• Habilitation in Microbiology, University of Würzburg (2021)
• PhD (Dr. rer. nat.), Philipps-University Marburg, Germany (1999)
• Diploma in Biology, University of Bayreuth, Germany (1995)

Research Interests:

His research delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying S. aureus pathogenesis, particularly how the bacterium survives within host cells and evades immune responses. Key areas include:

• Intracellular survival and replication of S. aureus in macrophages, epithelial, and endothelial cells.
• Phagosomal escape mechanisms mediated by bacterial factors like phenol-soluble modulins and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases.
• Host-pathogen interactions involving sphingolipids and calcium homeostasis.
• Metabolic adaptation of S. aureus during systemic infections and metastatic spread.

Scientific Contributions & Trends:

Fraunholz's recent publications highlight cutting-edge techniques and findings, including the use of expansion microscopy for super-resolution imaging of infections, the discovery of transcriptional regulators crucial for tissue colonization, and the identification of bacterial toxins and host factors that dictate infection outcomes. His work bridges microbiology, cell biology, and systems biology to uncover fundamental aspects of bacterial pathogenesis.

Collaborations & Funding:

He actively collaborates with researchers across Germany and internationally, including participation in the DFG-funded SPP2225 program "EXIT" and the Collaborative Research Center DECIDE. His lab also contributes tools and resources to the scientific community, such as fluorescent reporter strains and imaging protocols.

Lab & Team:

The Fraunholz lab consists of dedicated scientists and students, including technical assistants (e.g., Kerstin Paprotka) and PhD students (e.g., Fabio Schmelz, Julia Wolf), working together to advance understanding of S. aureus biology and pathogenesis.