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Focusing on the application of bacterial population genetics to pathogenic E. coli, this book brings together a compilation of research projects and ideas stemming from Dr. Whittam’s work. Readers gain a broad perspective on the historical development of bacterial population genetics, which underscores how Dr. Whittam’s research has shaped and defined the field. Next, individual contributions examine E. coli from ecological, evolutionary, and clinical perspectives. Finally, the book provides a detailed explanation of how population genetics principles have guided the investigations of the lethal O157:H7 lineage.
Each chapter has been written by one or more leading experts in bacterial population genetics who have been inspired to expand upon the investigations of Dr. Whittam. Readers will discover how the methodologies that Dr. Whittam used to study pathogenic E. coli and O157:H7 now serve as models to investigate many other pathogenic bacterial populations.
Key Features
· Explains how molecular methods and sequence data have revolutionized our understanding of bacterial population biology
· Discusses the evolutionary emergence of the O157:H7 pathogen, describing how certain genetic mutations have led to more severe disease outcomes
· Illustrates how the field is moving from small-scale, single-locus sequencing to high-throughput genomic platforms
· Describes the ecology of Escherichia coli species, including pathogenic and nonpathogenic populations
