The evolutionary dynamics of antibiotic resistance: insights from experimental evolution with pseudomonas
Antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is a simple and elegant example of adaptation by natural selection. In my talk, I will show how simple experiments can be used to investigate the fundamental evolutionary processes that drive the spread and maintenance of antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas. Antibiotic resistance comes at a fitness cost, expressed in terms of reduced competitive ability and virulence, and I will focus on addressing two issues. First, why does resistance carry a cost? Second, how do antibiotic use and natural selection allow resistance to persist over the long term in spite of its initial cost?
Date: 17 March 2015, 13:00 (Tuesday, 9th week, Hilary 2015)
Venue: Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, South Parks Road OX1 3RE
Venue Details: EPA Seminar Room
Speaker: Craig Maclean (Department of Zoology)
Part of: Bug Sessions in infectious disease
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only