An interesting research paper, considering a new way to examine the development of antibiotic resistance:
A key aspect of bacterial survival is the ability to evolve
while migrating across spatially varying environmental challenges. Laboratory
experiments, however, often study evolution in well-mixed systems. Here, we
introduce an experimental device, the microbial evolution and growth arena
(MEGA)–plate, in which bacteria spread and evolved on a large antibiotic
landscape (120 × 60 centimeters) that allowed visual observation of mutation
and selection in a migrating bacterial front. While resistance increased
consistently, multiple coexisting lineages diversified both phenotypically and
genotypically. Analyzing mutants at and behind the propagating front, we found
that evolution is not always led by the most resistant mutants; highly
resistant mutants may be trapped behind more sensitive lineages. The MEGA-plate
provides a versatile platform for studying microbial adaption and directly
visualizing evolutionary dynamics.
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle
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