The seminar will introduce the different pathotypes of E. coli and focus on infections associated with Shiga toxin (Stx) producing E. coli (STEC). The talk will cover published information on the potential advantages that Stx may provide for E. coli colonising the main reservoir host (ruminants) and then will discuss our recent research examining how both protein and sRNA regulators present on integrated bacteriophages can alter host strain phenotype or ‘behaviour’. Overall, the talk covers how the horizontal acquisition of different phage-encoded ‘morons’1 (‘More’ DNA or more ‘ome’) is driving the evolution of Stx-encoding E. coli strains in cattle with serious consequences for humans as an incidental host.
1Juhala et al (2000) Genomic sequences of bacteriophages HK97 and HK022: pervasive genetic mosaicism in the lambdoid bacteriophages. J Mol Biol 299:27-51.