Phenotype-genotype association in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Plant Sciences
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly diverse environmental organism, with a complex, mobile genome, that is also an opportunistic pathogen in the Cystic Fibrosis lung. Within the lung it will often set up a long-term chronic infection, undergoing local adaptation to this niche. This adaptation has frequently been used as a model system to understand rapid evolutionary adaptation in novel niches.
High levels of genomic and phenotypic diversity of P. aeruginosa have been observed during chronic infection, but very few studies have linked the two. This project will use novel bioinformatic approaches to understand phenotype-genotype association in this bacterium by combining whole genome sequencing of several thousand P. aeruginosa colonies with detailed in vitro colony phenotyping of a large number of relevant parameters. Interesting candidate mutations will be experimentally tested using knockout and complemented strains.
This study will determine the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity within the niche, and should yield a greater understanding of the process of P. aeruginosa invasion of, and long-term adaptation to, a novel niche.
High levels of genomic and phenotypic diversity of P. aeruginosa have been observed during chronic infection, but very few studies have linked the two. This project will use novel bioinformatic approaches to understand phenotype-genotype association in this bacterium by combining whole genome sequencing of several thousand P. aeruginosa colonies with detailed in vitro colony phenotyping of a large number of relevant parameters. Interesting candidate mutations will be experimentally tested using knockout and complemented strains.
This study will determine the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity within the niche, and should yield a greater understanding of the process of P. aeruginosa invasion of, and long-term adaptation to, a novel niche.
Organisations
Publications
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011194/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1643701 | Studentship | BB/M011194/1 | 30/09/2015 | 29/09/2019 | Samuel Kidman |
Description | Evidence submitted to Health and Social Care Committee's review on Antimicrobial Resistance |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmhealth/962/962.pdf |
Description | Presentation to Policy Makers on Antimicrobial Resistance |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Description | WTSI BBSRC Studentship Top-Up |
Amount | £24,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 10/2019 |
Description | Bringing Bioinformatics to Rural Kenya |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Traveled to rural Kenya to give a workshop on Bioinformatics to academics at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. From this week-long workshop, increased knowledge of bioinformatics was reported, stronger international collaborations were achieved, and a MSc course was developed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | http://www.mmust.ac.ke/sshd_config/index.php/media-centre-original/news-post/286-news-post-vol-2-iss... |
Description | School Visit to Institute (Cambridgeshire) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Local school students visited the Institute for a "Meet a Scientist" Open Day. I participated by talking about the research linked to this award. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |