What does FtsZ treadmilling DO in bacterial cell division? Check our brand-new BioRXiv paper http://disq.us/t/3q1pmvq ! @JukesCalum @NTregidgo @Kar__El @HenriquesLab @cees_dekker @seamus_holden

Summary: We used some fancy microscopy (combined with nanofabrication and microfluidics) and found that it has two separate roles!

1: it assembles the Z-ring by condensing filaments into a ring. 2: it initiates constriction by guiding cell wall synthesis machinery.

FtsZ treadmilling is dispensable after initiating constriction, BUT it still increases the constriction rate.

ALSO: we’re now combining top-down imaging of cells with microfluidics! Check out this cute little device. Took a while to figure out the right brand of double-sided tape to use that will stick to PDMS

Used this little device to nail down the mode of action of the antibiotic PC19. Arrests FtsZ treadmilling within seconds!