Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
12:13
TransFLP — A Method to Genetically Modify Vibrio cholerae Based on Natural Transformation and FLP-recombination
Published on: October 8, 2012
13.8K
Dynamics in genome evolution of Vibrio cholerae
Rachana Banerjee1, Bhabatosh Das2, G Balakrish Nair2
1Department of Bio-Physics, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Calcutta, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata 700009, India.
Summary
Vibrio cholerae, the cause of cholera, remains a global health threat. Integrative mobile genetic elements (IMGEs) are key to differentiating pandemic strains and understanding cholera evolution.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Vibrio cholerae causes cholera, a significant public health issue, particularly in developing nations.
- Despite extensive research, the evolutionary relationships among pandemic V. cholerae serogroups remain unclear.
- Recent decades show a rise in genetically diverse pandemic V. cholerae clones in Asia and Africa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on the genetics, epidemiology, and evolution of toxigenic V. cholerae.
- To elucidate the evolutionary relationships of pandemic V. cholerae serogroups.
- To identify key determinants of V. cholerae evolution using genomic data.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomic studies of V. cholerae strains.
- Analysis of integrative mobile genetic elements (IMGEs) within V. cholerae genomes.
- Review of recent research on V. cholerae genetics and evolution.
Main Results:
- Integrative mobile genetic elements (IMGEs) are present in V. cholerae genomes.
- IMGEs can differentiate seventh pandemic V. cholerae clones.
- These elements are crucial for understanding the rapid evolution of the cholera pathogen.
Conclusions:
- Genomic insights, particularly IMGEs, are vital for understanding V. cholerae evolution.
- Further research into V. cholerae genetics and epidemiology is needed to combat cholera.
- IMGEs serve as valuable markers for tracking pandemic V. cholerae strains.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Evolution of Microbial Genome
110
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.
110
01:25Cholera
149
Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
149
01:24Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
199
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...
199
01:26Evolutionary Processes in Microbes
202
Microbial evolution occurs rapidly due to short generation times and a variety of genetic processes, including horizontal gene transfer, mutation, recombination, and genetic drift. These mechanisms collectively enable microbes to adapt swiftly to changing environments.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows genes to move between different species and occurs through three main mechanisms: conjugation, transformation, and transduction. Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for DNA...
202
01:16Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle
2.7K
The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects...
2.7K
02:05Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
6.2K
The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
In contrast, regions which code...
6.2K