A mathematical method for analysing plasmid stability in micro-organisms.
A mathematical model describing the instability of plasmids in micro-organisms has been developed. The model is based on the assumption that the overall causes of plasmid instability are described by the segregational instability of the plasmid, R (i.e. the rate at which plasmid-free cells are generated from plasmid-bearing cells), and the growth rate difference, d mu (i.e. the difference in growth rate between plasmid-free and plasmid-bearing cells). A method for determining the values of R and d mu (accompanied by 95% confidence limits) for any plasmid-bearing micro-organism is described. This method is based on the observation that, depending on the plasmid, various exponential patterns of plasmid instability are observed. The stability of Escherichia coli 1B373(pMG169), where d mu much greater than R, and E. coli RV308(pHSG415), where R much greater than d mu, are analysed in order to demonstrate the method.
Cooper
N S
NS
Department of Atmospheric Physics, The University, Oxford, UK.
Brown
M E
ME
Caulcott
C A
CA
D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D010957:Plasmids; D013223:Statistics as Topic