Understanding the coordination between cell growth, volume and division and DNA replication

Lead Research Organisation: University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences

Abstract

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Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
BB/M010996/1 30/09/2015 31/03/2024
1647454 Studentship BB/M010996/1 30/09/2015 29/09/2019
 
Description Through our grant we have discovered how bacterial cells (in particular E.coli) change when exposed to environment with high concentrations of external solutes (high osmolarity). In particular we have investigated how growth rate, cell size, cell DNA content and replication period change with high osmolarity. Interestingly, and in contrast to recent published work, we measure no change in cellular size at increased osmolarity. We also see a reduction rather than an increase in cellular DNA content at high osmolarity and an increase in chromosome replication time.
Exploitation Route Our findings can be taken forward by others to understand the discrepancy between out own results and the recent literature. Eventually it is possible that our results will add to the understand of bacterial physiology at high osmollarity which may have implications for some areas of clinical work. For example the treatment of urinary tract infections.
Sectors Healthcare