Comparisons of infant Escherichia coli isolates link genomic profiles with adaptation to the ecological niche.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite being one of the most intensely studied model organisms, many questions still remain about the evolutionary biology and ecology of Escherichia coli. An important step toward achieving a more complete understanding of E.coli biology entails elucidating relationships between gene content and adaptation to the ecological niche.

Results

Here, we present genome comparisons of 16 E.coli strains that represent commensals and pathogens isolated from infants during a specific time period in Trondheim, Norway. Using differential gene content, we characterized enrichment profiles of the collection of strains relating to phylogeny, early vs. late colonization, pathogenicity and growth rate. We found clear gene content distinctions relating to the various grouping crit

SUBMITTER: de Muinck EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3637554 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature