Description:

Title:

"Gene Expression and Growth Rates During Human Infection"

Harry Mobley, PhD - University of Michigan

Host: Hank Seifert, PhD

Description:

Our traditional definition of bacterial virulence has been based on in vitro measurements of adherence, iron acquisition, toxin activity, protein secretion, and motility. Now we must consider what metabolic pathways are in play, what transport systems must be active, and, most importantly, which genes are actually being expressed during human infection. Novel techniques including RNA-Seq and Tn-Seq allow us to identify the most highly expressed genes and which genes are essential during actual infections. In addition, methods to measure in vivo growth rates help us understand the kinetics of infection. This leads to a better understanding of how bacterial pathogens outfox our immune defenses.