Horizontal gene transfer in bacterial pathogens
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Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a major actor of genome evolution in bacteria. Emergence of pathogens as well as their adaptation and resistance to antibiotics and vaccine are often connected to HGT events. Bacterial competence for transformation is a genetically programmed physiological state that confers bacteria the ability to naturally acquire and integrate exogenous DNA. Transformation by competence is the only mechanism of horizontal gene transfer inherently controlled by the bacteria. Competence is a tightly regulated metabolic state triggered by conditions and signals that are multiple, elusive and often species-specific. Only a limited number of species are known to be competent. Yet, competence genes are highly conserved. The transformability of most bacterial species is certainly underestimated and neglected because of our limited understanding of the complex signaling and genetics of competence development.
We're only beginning to understand why bacteria engage in natural transformation. This might be connected to other mechanisms of HGT that result from the action of mobile genetic elements (MGEs). We focus on understanding these processes and how they impact the spread of highly selected genes, namely antibiotic resistance genes. We use a combination of genetics, biochemistry, microscopy, transcriptomics, and mid-throughput screening approaches.Paragraph. Cliquer ici pour modifier. Publications
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Pink dots indicates experimentally-confirmed transformable species
Bacteria use a complex and dedicated DNA uptake system to import DNA from other bacteria in their environment
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