PNAS article by Tom Whittam on evolution of virulence in pathogenic E. coli
03/18/08
A new article in PNAS from Tom Whittam's lab has documented genetic variation in virulence among strains of E. coli O157:H7 that may help explain the outbreak of food-borne diseases. Dr. Whittam is Hannah Distinguished Professor of Microbial Evolution, and is jointly appointed in the National Food Safety & Toxicology Center, Food Science & Human Nutrition, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, and Zoology. The new research suggested that one subpopulation has acquired mutations that promote more severe disease.
PNAS article (may require log-in)
News story in Science Daily
Whittam Lab home page