J. E. Barrick

Parasite contingency loci and the evolution of host specificity: Simple sequence repeats mediate Bartonella adaptation to a wild rodent host

This study shows that simple sequence repeats in Bartonella bacteria drive adaptation to specific rodent hosts through frameshift mutations in adhesin genes.

Promoter capture drives the emergence of proto-genes in Escherichia coli

The paper identifies proto-genes in E. coli by analyzing the LTEE dataset, showing non-genic sequences evolve transcription and translation, often due to promoter formation and chromosomal events.

Single-step genome engineering in the bee gut symbiont Snodgrassella alvi

The paper develops a one-step genome editing method for Snodgrassella alvi, enabling gene knockouts and insertions with high accuracy and validation of mutant phenotypes.

The Pathfinder plasmid toolkit for genetically engineering newly isolated bacteria enables the study of Drosophila-colonizing Orbaceae

The paper introduces the Pathfinder plasmid toolkit to test genetic part compatibility in newly isolated bacteria, demonstrating its use in engineering Orbaceae strains to study their colonization of Drosophila gut.

Addressing the challenges of symbiont-mediated RNAi in aphids

This study attempts to adapt symbiont-mediated RNAi for aphids but finds it unreliable for consistent gene knockdown.

Gut microbe Lactiplantiballus plantarum undergoes different evolutionary trajectories between insects and mammals

This study tracks the evolutionary trajectories of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Drosophila and mammalian hosts, finding diet-driven evolution in insects and host-intrinsic factors driving divergence in mammals.

Global transcriptional response of Methylorubrum extorquens to formaldehyde stress expands the role of EfgA and is distinct from antibiotic translational inhibition

This study examines how Methylorubrum extorquens responds to formaldehyde stress with and without EfgA, revealing its role in transcriptional regulation and stress response.

Coevolutionary phage training leads to greater bacterial suppression and delays the evolution of phage resistance

This paper shows that coevolving phages with bacteria for 28 days significantly delays bacterial resistance and enhances phage suppression of growth.

Vertical transmission at the pathogen-symbiont interface: Serratia symbiotica and aphids

This study shows that culturable, pathogenic Serratia symbiotica strains can be maternally transmitted via transovarial endocytosis in aphids, suggesting they have the potential to evolve into mutualistic symbionts.

Genomic evolution of antibiotic resistance is contingent on genetic background following a long-term experiment with Escherichia coli

This study shows that genetic background influences the genotypic evolution of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli, leading to divergent mutational paths despite similar antibiotic treatments.

Profiling the initial burst of beneficial genetic diversity in clonal cell populations to anticipate evolution

The paper tracks rare beneficial mutations in Escherichia coli to predict population evolution and identify early signs of adaptation.

Genomic and phenotypic evolution of Escherichia coli in a novel citrate-only resource environment

This study examines the genomic and phenotypic evolution of Escherichia coli in a citrate-only environment, identifying copy-number variations and transposable elements as key factors, while noting persistent physiological mismatches.

Evolution of satellite plasmids can stabilize the maintenance of newly acquired accessory genes in bacteria

This study shows that satellite plasmids can help maintain newly acquired accessory genes in bacteria by reducing their fitness burden.

Synthetic genome defenses against selfish DNA elements stabilize engineered bacteria against evolutionary failure

This paper develops a CRISPR-based system to silence transposons in bacteria, improving genome stability and reducing mutation rates in engineered cells.

Directed evolution of Escherichia coli with lower-than natural plasmid mutation rates

This study develops a directed evolution method to reduce plasmid mutation rates in E. coli, identifying mutations that improve genetic stability without compromising growth or expression.

An evolutionary innovation is contingent on maintaining adaptive potential until competition subsides

The paper investigates the evolutionary conditions that enabled an E. coli population to develop citrate utilization, finding that maintaining genetic potential and reduced adaptation rates were critical.