Author:
Nagy Krisztina,Dukic Barbara,Hodula Orsolya,Ábrahám Ágnes,Csákvári Eszter,Dér László,Wetherington Miles T.,Noorlag Janneke,Keymer Juan E.,Galajda Péter
Abstract
Spatiotemporal structures and heterogeneities are common in natural habitats, yet their role in the evolution of antibiotic resistance is still to be uncovered. We applied a microfluidic gradient generator device to study the emergence of resistant bacteria in spatial ciprofloxacin gradients. We observed biofilm formation in regions with sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics, which quickly expanded into the high antibiotic regions. In the absence of an explicit structure of the habitat, this multicellular formation led to a spatial structure of the population with local competition and limited migration. Therefore, such structures can function as amplifiers of selection and aid the spread of beneficial mutations. We found that the physical environment itself induces stress-related mutations that later prove beneficial when cells are exposed to antibiotics. This shift in function suggests that exaptation occurs in such experimental scenarios. The above two processes pave the way for the subsequent emergence of highly resistant specific mutations.
Funder
Nemzeti Kutatási Fejlesztési és Innovációs Hivatal
Magyarország Kormánya
European Regional Development Fund
Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo
James S. McDonnell Foundation
Subject
Microbiology (medical),Microbiology
Cited by
5 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献