Learn more about how genetics and bioinformatics techniques are helping researchers to understand how microbes adapt, survive and spread in the world. In the video, Professor Mark Pallen of the Quadram Institute discusses his work in these areas.
Escherichia coli is a research model he uses often, and while the microbe can be deadly when it ends up in the wrong place, it can also serve important purposes. Pallen is seeking to learn more about how different strains of E. coli change to fit into different environments. He also wants to investigate whether we can engineer beneficial strains of the germ.
Genomic sequencing is an integral part of this work. It enables scientists to see how bacteria are changing on a molecular level. Another aspect of Pallen's research involves the gut microbiome, and genetic sequencing is an essential tool for the work that allows investigators to characterize the bacterial species that comprise a microbiome. Learn more from the video.