Objective
Conjugative transposons (cTns) are mobile genetic elements that mediate the transfer of antibiotic resistance to a wide range of bacteria including enterococci. Preliminary data revealed that the cTns, Tn6000, confer negligible burden or biological cost on enterococcal hosts. Our hypothesis is therefore: cTns have evolved regulatory mechanisms that can minimize their transcription. This leads to minimal biological cost to the host cell and stability of the mobile element within the population, explaining why they persist in bacteria from environments without selective pressure. In addition, we hypothesize that when two or more elements are in the same cell they may recombine to form a single element, again reducing their biological cost and ensuring their propagation. The aims of the project are: to determine if the cTns isolated from E. faecalis affect the fitness of their host and to test the hypothesis that the transcriptional regulation of these mobile elements determines their stability and persistence. Additionally, to determine if different elements can recombine in vivo, potentially forming new, more fit mobile elements and contributing to the evolution of antibiotic resistance development in pathogens. Experimental approach: The stability of the cTns and their recombination potential in enterococci will be assessed in the presence and absence of selective pressure (antibiotics). The absolute and relative fitness of the cTn containing strains will be evaluated and any compensatory mutations in the host will be determined by high throughput sequencing technologies and whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing. Mutagenesis of the regulatory region within the cTns will be carried out to understand the impact on stability of the element and fitness upon the host and to determine if this influences intracellular recombination and the evolution of the mobile elements.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA transcriptomes
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antibiotics
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug resistance antibiotic resistance
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
WC1E 6BT LONDON
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.