Diarmaid Hughes research group

Bacterial genetics, antibiotic resistance and "fitness"

We are using genetic methods to study the development of resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Particular questions include how resistance development impacts on bacterial fitness in different environments and how bacteria respond by compensatory evolution. Testing antibiotic dosing strategies to minimize the risk of resistance development or selection is another area of research. E. coli, S. enterica, and S. aureus are used as model organisms.We also study bacterial microevolution in response to growth limitation caused either by genetic defects or restrictions of the growth environment. These studies relate bacterial genetics and growth physiology with transcription, translation and gene expression regulation. In addition we have a long-standing interest in bacterial mutation rates and the mechanism of gene conversion.

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