Eva Maria Top

Horizontal gene transfer by plasmids relaxes the evolutionary constraints of its own tradeoff

The paper examines the evolutionary tradeoff between horizontal and vertical gene transfer in plasmids, finding mixed evidence and proposing that HGT relaxes constraints by introducing plasmids into novel hosts.

Molecular pet or parasite? Exploring selection for vertical and horizontal plasmid transfer

This study develops a mathematical model to understand selection for horizontal plasmid transfer and shows that modifying lab protocols can tip selection towards horizontal gene transfer.

Using Hi-C and target capture to monitor plasmid transfer in the barley rhizosphere

This study shows plasmid transfer from manure to soil bacteria in barley rhizosphere, but no long-term persistence, with hosts remaining unidentified due to database limitations.

Not So Mosaic After All? The Core Genomes of IncP-1 Plasmids Evolve Predominantly Through Vertical Transmission

The paper examines the evolutionary history of IncP-1 plasmids, finding that their backbone genes predominantly evolve through vertical transmission rather than horizontal recombination.

Detection of rare plasmid hosts using a targeted Hi-C approach

This study develops Hi-C+ to detect rare plasmid hosts in soil, achieving a 0.001% detection limit and genus-level identification.

Comparative genomic analysis identifies potential adaptive variation and virulence factors in Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae

This study compares M. ovipneumoniae genomes from six countries and four host species, identifying adaptive variation and virulence factors linked to carbon metabolism and host-specific evolution.

Evolution of a Plasmid Regulatory Circuit Ameliorates Plasmid Fitness Cost

This study shows that inactivating the upf31 gene in a plasmid improves its maintenance in E. coli by altering gene regulation, demonstrating how plasmid evolution can affect host range.