Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Evolution of Microbial Genome

Evolution of Microbial Genome

Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.

Modern Molecular Taxonomy

Modern Molecular Taxonomy

Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes

The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Comparative genomics of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) reveals a similar distribution of the 10 most prevalent ESBL-Ec clones and ESBL genes among human community faecal and extra-intestinal infection isolates in the Netherlands (2014-17).

The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy·2021

Same author

Plasmids Shaped the Recent Emergence of the Major Nosocomial Pathogen Enterococcus faecium.

mBio·2020

Same author

Gut Microbiota and Colonization Resistance against Bacterial Enteric Infection.

Microbiology and molecular biology reviews : MMBR·2019

Same author

Do we really understand how faecal microbiota transplantation works?

EBioMedicine·2019

Same author

Whole genome sequencing options for bacterial strain typing and epidemiologic analysis based on single nucleotide polymorphism versus gene-by-gene-based approaches.

Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·2018

Same author

Intestinal carriage of ampicillin- and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in humans, dogs and cats in the Netherlands.

The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Published on: December 23, 2022

Genome-based insights into the evolution of enterococci.

W van Schaik¹, R J L Willems

¹Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands. w.vanschaik@umcutrecht.nl

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

|June 24, 2010

Summary

Genomic analysis reveals significant diversity within Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium strains, driven by mobile genetic elements. Next-generation sequencing enhances our understanding of these important bacterial pathogens.

More Related Videos

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Published on: December 7, 2021

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Published on: December 23, 2022

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Published on: December 7, 2021

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Genomics
Molecular Biology

Background:

The sequencing of the first free-living organism's genome 15 years ago marked a revolution in microbiology.
Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are significant causes of nosocomial infections.
Understanding the genomic basis of their diversity is crucial for combating infections.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in the genomics of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.
To focus on genome-based analyses of enterococcal diversity and phylogeny.
To highlight the impact of next-generation sequencing technologies on enterococcal research.

Main Methods:

Comparative genome hybridization (CGH) studies.
Analysis of mobile genetic elements including phages, plasmids, pathogenicity islands, and conjugative elements.
Application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies for comprehensive gene repertoire characterization.

Main Results:

Both Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium exhibit substantial inter-strain genomic diversity.
Genomic variation is primarily attributed to the presence or absence of mobile genetic elements.
NGS enables robust analyses of diversity and population structure across multiple isolates.

Conclusions:

Genomic diversity is a key feature of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.
Mobile genetic elements play a critical role in shaping the genomes of these enterococci.
Advanced sequencing technologies provide powerful tools for dissecting enterococcal population structures and evolution.