BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Pseudomonas aeruginosa population behaviour during chronic infecti
 ons - Prof Craig Winstanley\, University of Liverpool
DTSTART:20120614T130000Z
DTEND:20120614T140000Z
UID:TALK38371@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:28661
DESCRIPTION:_Pseudomonas aeruginosa_ causes a range of opportunistic infec
 tions. In cystic fibrosis (CF) patients\, chronic lung infections with _P.
  aeruginosa_ are the main cause of patient morbidity and mortality. The Li
 verpool Epidemic Strain (LES) of _P. aeruginosa_ is a particularly success
 ful\, aggressive transmissible strain\, widespread in the UK\, present in 
 North America and associated with both greater patient morbidity and incre
 ased antibiotic resistance. Using genomic and phenotypic analysis\, we hav
 e studied the LES in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models\, as well as
  directly in samples from CF patients\, in order to identify characteristi
 cs that may contribute to its success. Using signature-tagged mutagenesis 
 we have identified novel prophages and genomic islands that contribute to 
 the ability of the strain to establish infections. In addition\, transcrip
 tomic analysis enabled us to identify a novel quorum-sensing related pheno
 typic specific to the LES. We have also been studying LES population diver
 gence directly in CF patient samples and in an artificial sputum medium bi
 ofilm model. These studies reveal extensive diversity in LES populations w
 ithin individual patient sputum samples\, leading to considerable variatio
 ns in phenotypes\, including antimicrobial resistance. We are using the bi
 ofilm model to better understand what drives the diversification.
LOCATION:Department of Biochemistry\, Sanger Building Lecture Theatre
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR