Objective "Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria is currently one of the most concerning threats for public health. Up to 400,000 patients suffer from infections resistant to multiple antibiotics in Europe annually, giving rise to more than 18,000 deaths every year. Hence, a better control of the rise and spread of antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic bacteria is crucial to improve the health of European citizens. Bacteria acquire resistance to antibiotics through two principal routes, (i) chromosomal mutations and (ii) plasmid acquisition. Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA elements responsible for the spread of antimicrobial resistance determinants among bacteria, as they can disseminate by horizontal gene transfer (conjugation and/or transformation).Previous works have shown that aspects as the mechanistic basis of drug resistance and the antibiotic treatment regimes are crucial for understanding the evolution of population genetics of chromosomal-mediated resistance. Here, we would like to determine the key population genetic parameters that influence the rising and the spread of plasmid-mediated resistance. Specifically, we will determine for both (a) plasmid and (b) chromosomal-mediated resistance:(i) The rate of acquisition of resistance.(ii) The fitness costs and benefits of resistance.(iii) The potential for compensatory adaptation to ameliorate the cost of resistance.We will quantify these parameters using in vivo and in vitro experimental evolution experiments with the pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa.This work will help us to understand and prevent the concerning phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance spread among pathogenic bacteria, and will provide information of biological and clinical relevance to make predictions about how innovative therapeutic approaches could impact plasmid-mediated resistance dynamics." Fields of science medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibioticsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug resistanceantibiotic resistance Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Address Wellington square university offices OX1 2JD Oxford United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gill Wells (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data
