The role of DNA satellites in bacterial evolution.

Bacterial genomics is a flourishing research field, in which relatedness is assessed by genetic variation between bacterial strains. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are typically used as the sole source of genetic variation. However, there is likely much variation between bacteria that is currently overlooked. In this project, the role of DNA satellites during bacterial evolution will be studied. Hereto, DNA satellites will be systematically identified in Salmonella Typhimurium and across the bacterial kingdom. Thereafter, the dynamics of DNA satellites and SNPs during evolution will be assessed. Finally, the effect on the cellular transcriptome response will be measured and compared between DNA satellites and SNPs. Together, this study will provide a comprehensive view on the role of DNA satellites during bacterial evolution and shed a novel perspective on bacterial genetics.

Keywords:INFECTIONS

Disciplines:Phylogeny and comparative analysis, Population, ecological and evolutionary genetics, Genomics, Transcriptomics, Bacteriology, Infectious diseases