Evolution is the hallmark of life. Descriptions of the evolution of microorganisms have
provided a wealth of information, but knowledge regarding “what happened” has precluded …

Plasmids contain a backbone of core genes that remains relatively stable for long
evolutionary periods, making sense to speak about plasmid species. The identification and …

In the absence of antibiotic-mediated selection, sensitive bacteria are expected to displace
their resistant counterparts if resistance genes are costly. However, many resistance genes …

The spread of genes encoding antibiotic resistance is often mediated by horizontal gene
transfer (HGT). Many of these genes are associated with transposons, a type of mobile …

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans, with
uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) the leading causative organism. UPEC has a …

The foodborne pathogen Salmonella enterica is considered a global public health risk.
Salmonella enterica isolates can develop resistance to several antimicrobial drugs due to …

The dissemination of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli has major implications for
the management of common infections. bla KPC, encoding a transmissible carbapenemase …

With plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance thriving and threatening to become a serious
public health problem, it is paramount to increase our understanding of the forces that …

Plasmids, extrachromosomal DNA molecules commonly found in bacterial and archaeal
cells, play an important role in bacterial genetics and evolution. Our understanding of …

Horizontal gene transfer is responsible for the exchange of many types of genetic elements,
including plasmids. Properties of the exchanged genetic element are known to influence the …