Horizontal gene transfer is often depicted as a process distributing pre-existing functions to novel genetic backgrounds. Yet HGT can also increase the rate of functional innovation after transfer. Here's a brief review on the topic: ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v... #evosky #microsky

➡️ preprint from the lab! Bacteria have loads of antiviral defences in their mobile genetic elements (MGEs). So when MGEs move between bacteria, the defences move with them, generating a fast turnover of defences in bacteria. But what about the antiviral defence turnover in the MGEs themselves? 🤔 🧵👇

New preprint out on bioRxiv! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... Can conjugative plasmids be used to control plasmid and pathogen spread? Follow me down the rabbit hole that led to this story 🧵

Bacteria chromosomes contain Genomic Islands that provide virulence, antibiotic resistance, MGE-defence,... They transfer between cells, but the mechanism of most remains elusive. Here we explore the conjugative capacity of these mysterious Genomic Islands. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

New paper from the lab, the mysteries involving the genetic elements that move by being mobilized by other MGEs. Hitcher Genetic Elements are distinctive, ancient and diverse. ecoevorxiv.org/repository/v...

New from the lab. We were stuck studying plasmid mobility because we ignored most origins of transfer by conjugation. Using the occurrences of known oriT, we developed a method to find novel unrelated families. Works well. We now cover most conjugative plasmids of E coli, K pneumo & A baumannii.