Mikroevolution in pathogenen Bakterien

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In recent years, phylogenetic analyses of sequence data have yielded numerous exciting and novel insights on population genetic and evolutionary aspects of bacterial pathogens. This project will use phylogenetic methods to examine microevolution in Neisseria, Yersinia pestis, Yersinia enterocolitica and Escherichia coli. The taxonomic relationships of a new Neisseria species, currently N. spp., will be defined relative to N. meningitidis, N. gonorrhoeae and related commensal neisseriae by sequence analysis plus DNA-DNA hybridization. DNA regions containing unusually low levels of polymorphic sites have been found in N. meningitidis and Y. enterocolitica. These regions will be investigated by population genetic techniques such as coalescence analysis to test whether selective sweeps have recently occurred, and to determine the basic properties of such phenomena. A PCR-based, fine typing method will be developed for Y. pestis based on the variable insertion sites of IS100 that will enable recognition and subdivision of the biovars antiqua, medievalis and orientalis. A multilocus sequence typing (MLST) classification will be developed for E. coli in order to enable laboratories in different parts of the world to interact by using a common classification system.