J. S. Huisman

Plasmid co-infection: linking biological mechanisms to ecological and evolutionary dynamics

This paper reviews how biological processes of plasmid co-infection are modeled and analyzes their impact on eco-evolutionary outcomes, showing frequency-dependent selection from beneficial and detrimental effects.

Pathogen invasion-dependent tissue reservoirs and plasmid-encoded antibiotic degradation boost plasmid spread in the gut

This study shows that plasmid dissemination in the gut is enhanced by antibiotic degradation in the lumen and cycling between gut and tissue reservoirs in Salmonella Typhimurium.

Cooperative virulence can emerge via horizontal gene transfer but is stabilized by transmission

This study shows that horizontal gene transfer can enable virulence in Salmonella Typhimurium, but cooperative virulence is stabilized by transmission dynamics and population bottlenecks.

Evolutionary mechanisms that determine which bacterial genes are carried on plasmids

This paper uses mathematical modeling to show that moderately beneficial bacterial genes are more likely to be on plasmids due to positive frequency-dependent selection and priority effects.

Estimating plasmid conjugation rates: a new computational tool and a critical comparison of methods

The paper introduces a new computational tool for estimating plasmid conjugation rates and compares existing methods, showing biases due to population dynamics and growth differences.

Clinical extended-spectrum beta-lactamase antibiotic resistance plasmids have diverse transfer rates and can spread in the absence of antibiotic selection

This study quantifies the conjugative transfer dynamics of ESBL plasmids in vitro and in vivo, showing variation in transfer efficiency and potential for predicting plasmid spread.