Bacterial gene transfer agents: mechanisms and applications

这个研究项目的重点是遗传物质在细胞间的运动。细菌之间DNA的移动是一个极其重要的过程，也是这些生物体改变和适应新环境条件的方式之一。与人类社会相关的细菌基因交换的例子包括人类病原体获得抗生素耐药性或新的毒力特性。我们研究被称为基因转移剂（GTAs）的病毒样实体，其功能仅是在细胞之间移动DNA。这些gta类似于病毒，但它们是由细胞生物体产生和控制的，并将产生生物体的基因组物质片段转移到其他细胞中。我们专注于一个特定的模型系统，细菌荚膜红杆菌的GTA。该模型适用于许多基本的分子遗传技术，促进了本研究，使其成为一种合适的微生物研究系统。该GTA对其他物种产生的GTA也具有代表性，因此所获得的信息可以更广泛地应用。我们正在研究细胞如何调节GTA产生的细节，GTA如何选择DNA进行转移，我们希望修改GTA，使它们能够更广泛地用作工具。这项研究使用了微生物学、遗传学、生物化学和生物信息学领域的现代技术。这项研究具有原创性和创新性，将对我们对微生物遗传学、多样性和进化的理解产生影响。它还将通过培训学生和科学家使加拿大受益，这些学生和科学家随后可以利用他们的培训从事工业、学术界和卫生科学方面的职业。

This research program is focused on the movement of genetic material between cells. The movement of DNA among bacteria is an extremely important process, and one of the ways these organisms change and adapt to new environmental conditions. Examples of bacterial gene exchange relevant for human society include the acquisition of antibiotic resistance or novel virulence properties by human pathogens. We study virus-like entities called gene transfer agents (GTAs) that function solely to move DNA between cells. These GTAs resemble viruses, but they are produced and controlled by cellular organisms and transfer pieces of the producing organisms' genomic material to other cells. We focus on a specific model system, the GTA of the bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus. This model is amenable to many essential molecular genetic techniques, facilitating this research and making it a suitable microbiological study system. This GTA is also representative of GTAs produced by other species and the information gained can therefore be applied more widely. We are studying the details of how cells regulate GTA production, how DNA is selected for transfer by GTAs, and we want to modify GTAs so they can be used more broadly as tools. This research uses modern techniques in the areas of microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, and bioinformatics. This research is original and innovative and will have impact by contributing to advances in our understanding of microbial genetics, diversity, and evolution. It will also benefit Canada through the training of students and scientists who can then use their training for careers in industry, academia, and the health sciences.