For the first time, researchers have revealed the syringe-like type-III secretion system of Gram-negative bacteria in action. In the research study, published in Nature Communications, the group of Thomas Marlovits from the Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) at the DESY campus provides new insights into how pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella infect human cells. According to the researchers, visualizing this at the molecular level helps further our understanding of host-pathogen interactions and contributes to the development of novel therapies for the treatment of bacterial infections and other diseases.