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Summary of dissertation

Bacteria can pass fragments of their genetic material to each other, which frequently contain genes for antibiotic resistance. I investigated how differences between bacteria and differences in their environment influence the ease or difficulty of this process.
The scientific literature shows that it is more difficult for bacteria suspended in fluid to pass genetic material to each other if they are less closely related. This is not the case with bacteria on a solid surface. Experiments with computational models show this difference can lead to genetic material being retained in the intestines of chickens if part of the bacteria have the intestinal wall as a solid surface.

Experiments with bacteria in the laboratory and with computer models showed that bacteria with and without transmissible additional fragments of genetic material can influence each other's growth rate in such a way that the bacteria with these fragments of genetic material would not be able to survive in the intestines of chickens. Thus, we know better in which circumstances the additional genetic material would or would not be lost.

Thanks to my research, we now better understand how differences between bacteria and differences in their environment influence how easily bacteria can pass fragments of their genetic material to each other. Researchers can use this new knowledge in their pursuit to prevent bacteria from passing on genetic material that makes antibiotics ineffective against bacteria. They can also use it in their pursuit to stimulate bacteria to pass on genetic material that allows them to clean contaminated soil. Researchers can also use the computational models to answer other questions about differences between bacteria.

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