Following evolution of bacterial antibiotic resistance in real time.
A new study reports the development of the 'morbidostat', a device that allows for continuous culture of bacteria under a constant drug selection pressure using computer feedback control of antibiotic concentration. This device, together with bacterial whole-genome sequencing, allowed the authors to follow the evolution of resistance-conferring mutations in Escherichia coli populations in real time, providing support for deterministic evolution of resistance in some situations.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA.
Adam Z
AZ
Rosenthal
Michael B
MB
Elowitz
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D005075:Biological Evolution; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D009154:Mutation; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D012641:Selection, Genetic
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents