Method offers potential for understanding anti-bacterial resistance

By basing methods on mathematical models and Bayesian analysis, the researchers have succeeded in producing tools for biologists who are interested in jumping genes and the traits they carry with them. This could provide a deeper understanding about how species have evolved, and even find ways to address antibiotic resistance.

The method and model could be used in order to see the kinship between species more clearly than before. The method describes an algorithm and associated software, which will be an important tool for researchers working with bacteria and the genes they transmit laterally, such as for antibiotic resistance.

For further details, see:

J. Sjostrand, A. Tofigh, V. Daubin, L. Arvestad, B. Sennblad, J. Lagergren. A Bayesian Method for Analyzing Lateral Gene Transfer. Systematic Biology, 2014; DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syu007

Posted by Tim Sandle