Genetic and molecular dissection of the effect of viruses on bacterial fitness and antibiotic resistance evolution

抗生素耐药性在细菌之间的快速传播是对人类健康的最大威胁之一，如果不加以控制，预计每年的死亡人数将大幅上升。抗菌素耐药性(AMR)和毒力基因快速传播的主要机制统称为水平基因转移(HGT)。虽然AMR在自然环境中通常由HGT驱动，但病毒和驯化病毒的具体作用尚不清楚。该项目将揭开各种HGT机制的分子和遗传细节，特别关注病毒载体--它们是自然环境中基因组可塑性和表型转换的重要驱动因素。我们还将探索HGT在受控环境现实条件下细菌进化、适应、适合性和抗生素耐药性基因动员中的作用。这个项目将是多学科的，结合了实验进化、微生物遗传学、生物化学和分子生物学。特别是，我们将确定为模式细菌物种提供竞争优势的基因和途径，并剖析它们为宿主提供的好处(例如，抗生素耐药性)。你将使用包括突变、克隆、荧光成像、流式细胞术、下一代测序、竞争分析和生物信息学在内的技术。约克大学生物系提供使用尖端技术和数据分析方面的高级培训机会，还将为您提供各种研究生技能培训，以及宝贵的学术经验，如参加会议和研讨会系列，以及参加外展活动的机会。

The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance between bacteria is one of the greatest threats to human health and, if left unchecked, deaths per year are projected to rise substantially. The primary mechanisms for the rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence genes are known collectively as Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT). While AMR is commonly driven by HGT in natural environments, the specific role of viruses and domesticated viruses is poorly understood. This project will unravel the molecular and genetic details of various HGT mechanisms, with a particular focus on viral vectors - which are important drivers of genome plasticity and phenotypic conversion in the natural environment. We will also explore the role HGT in bacterial evolution, adaptation, fitness and the mobilization of antibiotic resistance genes under controlled environmentally realistic conditions. This project will be multidisciplinary, combining experimental evolution, microbial genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology. In particular, we will identify the genes and pathways that provide a competitive advantage for model bacterial species and dissect the benefits they provide to their host (e.g. antibiotic resistance). You will use techniques including mutagenesis, cloning, fluorescence imaging, flow cytometry, next generation sequencing, competition assays and bioinformatics. The Department of Biology at York offers opportunities for advanced training in use of cutting-edge technologies and data analysis in R. You will also be offered varied graduate skills training together with valuable academic experience such as attendance at conferences and seminar series plus opportunities to participate in outreach activities.