Filipe, Sérgio RaposoAtilano, Magda2013-10-092012-05http://hdl.handle.net/10362/10530Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in BiologyBacteria have to overcome numerous obstacles in order to invade and infect the host, and therefore have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to prevent their elimination, or detection, by the host immune system. The bacterial cell wall is essential for bacterial survival and central to different interactions between bacteria and the host. It is a dynamic and complex surface structure with a multitude of functions, ranging from acting as a structural scaffold or barrier against osmotic lysis, to being involved in cell adhesion.(...)engdoctoral thesis