C. S. Pepperell

Portrait of a generalist bacterium: pathoadaptation, metabolic specialization and extreme environments shape diversity of Staphylococcus saprophyticus

This study characterizes the genetic diversity of Staphylococcus saprophyticus across environments and hosts, identifying a Type VII secretion system linked to bovine mastitis and highlighting the generalist nature of the species.

Adaptation of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis transcriptome to biofilm growth

This study characterizes the transcriptomic adaptation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to biofilm growth, revealing strain-specific regulatory systems and the role of non-coding RNA in facilitating rapid environmental responses.

Genotypic and phenotypic differences among phase-variable colony variants conserved across Gardnerella spp.

This study identifies phase-variable colony variants in Gardnerella species and their potential roles in bacterial vaginosis pathogenesis.

Decoding a cryptic mechanism of metronidazole resistance among globally disseminated fluoroquinolone-resistant Clostridioides difficile

This study identifies a mutation in C. difficile that causes metronidazole resistance and links it to fluoroquinolone resistance, contributing to the spread of drug-resistant strains.

Comparative genomics of Streptococcus oralis identifies large scale homologous recombination and a genetic variant associated with infection

This study identifies a genetic variant associated with invasiveness in Streptococcus oralis using genomic data from invasive infections and healthy volunteers.

Rapid adaptation of a complex trait during experimental evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

This study uses experimental evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to identify genetic loci associated with biofilm formation and shows that regulatory mutations rapidly adapt under selective pressure.

Dispersal of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to indigenous populations driven by historical European trade in the South Pacific

This paper traces the dispersal of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage 4.4 strains in New Zealand and Canada using genomic data, linking their spread to historical European trade and migration.

Lineage specific histories of Mycobacterium tuberculosis dispersal in Africa and Eurasia

This study traces the lineage-specific dispersal of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Africa and Eurasia, linking it to historical trade and migration patterns.

Signatures of selection at drug resistance loci in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

This study analyzes drug resistance loci in Mycobacterium tuberculosis using whole genome sequencing to identify signatures of selection and novel resistance variants.

Adaptation in a fibronectin binding autolysin of Staphylococcus saprophyticus

The paper identifies a mutation in the aas gene of Staphylococcus saprophyticus that may enhance its ability to colonize the urinary tract, contributing to its pathogenicity.

Evolutionary thrift: mycobacteria repurpose plasmid diversity during adaptation of type VII secretion systems

This study investigates how mycobacteria repurpose plasmid diversity to adapt their type VII secretion systems through evolutionary mechanisms.