A. P. Roberts

Molecular mechanisms of re-emerging chloramphenicol susceptibility in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacterales

The paper investigates the re-emerging chloramphenicol susceptibility in ESBL-producing Enterobacterales by analyzing genotype-phenotype discordance and molecular mechanisms.

Genomic analysis of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli colonising adults in Blantyre, Malawi reveals previously undescribed diversity.

This study sequenced ESBL-producing E. coli from Malawi to assess genetic diversity and AMR determinants, revealing locally circulating subclades and carbapenemase genes.

A novel hemA mutation is responsible for small colony variant phenotype in Escherichia coli.

The paper identifies a novel hemA mutation causing a small colony variant phenotype in E. coli, associated with auxotrophy for hemin and impaired biofilm formation.

Emergence of a Hypervirulent Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Co-harbouring a blaNDM-1-carrying Virulent Plasmid and a blaKPC-2-carrying Plasmid in an Egyptian Hospital

This study identifies a hypervirulent CRKP strain in Egypt carrying two plasmids with carbapenemase and virulence genes, highlighting the genetic basis of resistance and virulence.

Piperacillin/tazobactam resistant, cephalosporin susceptible Escherichia coli bloodstream infections are driven by multiple acquisition of resistance across diverse sequence types

The paper identifies genetic diversity and resistance mechanisms in E. coli with piperacillin/tazobactam resistance but third-generation cephalosporin susceptibility.

Comprehensive genome data analysis establishes a triple whammy of carbapenemases, ICEs and multiple clinically-relevant bacteria

This study identifies 66 carbapenemase-encoding genes (CEGs) located within integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) across 182,663 bacterial genomes, highlighting ICEs as underappreciated contributors to carbapenem resistance.

Integron Gene Cassettes Harboring Novel Variants of D-Alanine-D-Alanine Ligase Confer High-level Resistance to D-Cycloserine

The paper identifies two novel ddl gene variants in integron cassettes from human saliva, showing they confer high-level resistance to D-cycloserine and are likely maintained by dietary flavonoids.

Expanding magnetic organelle biogenesis in the domain Bacteria

This study expands the known diversity of magnetosome biogenesis in bacteria by analyzing new genomes and revealing an early evolutionary origin of magnetic nanoparticle formation.

Within-patient evolution to piperacillin/tazobactam resistance in a clinical isolate of Escherichia coli due to IS26-mediated amplification of blaTEM-1B

Effect of environment on the evolutionary trajectories and growth characteristics of antibiotic- resistant Escherichia coli mutants

This study shows that growth media significantly affects the isolation and fitness of antibiotic-resistant E. coli mutants, highlighting the limitations of using single culture protocols for predicting in vivo bacterial behavior.

Promoter activity of ORF-less gene cassettes isolated from the oral metagenome

The paper identifies promoter activity in ORF-less gene cassettes from the oral metagenome and develops a detection system for promoter-containing cassettes.

Carbapenemases on the move: it’s good to be on ICE

This study identifies ICEs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that carry carbapenemase-encoding genes, highlighting their role in antibiotic resistance spread.

Conserved collateral susceptibility networks in diverse clinical strains of Escherichia coli.

The paper examines collateral susceptibility networks in diverse E. coli strains to inform antimicrobial resistance treatment strategies.

A helicase-containing module defines a family of pCD630-like plasmids in Clostridium difficile

This study identifies a family of pCD630-like plasmids in Clostridium difficile defined by a conserved helicase and reports two sub-groups differing in size and accessory modules.

The human oral microbiome is shaped by shared environment rather than genetics: evidence from a large family of closely-related individuals

This study shows that shared environment, not genetics, shapes the oral microbiome in a large family, with household effects persisting even after individuals move out.