Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Design and Use of a Low Cost, Automated Morbidostat for Adaptive Evolution of Bacteria Under Antibiotic Drug Selection
Published on: September 27, 2016
Mobile elements in the evolution and spread of multiple-drug resistance in staphylococci
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract:
Since the introduction of antimicrobial chemotherapy, staphylococci have shown a remarkable propensity to develop drug resistance. As a result, strains have evolved that are resistant to most classes of clinically useful antimicrobial agents. The emergence of these multiply-drug-resistant strains is primarily due to the capture of pre-existent resistance genes. In combination with plasmids and gene transfer mechanisms, mobile genetic elements have been central to the acquisition and dissemination of this resistance. In particular they have played a significant role in the assembly of drug-resistance gene clusters in these multiply-resistant staphylococci.
Related Concept Videos
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance
Evolutionary Processes in Microbes
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

