Streptococcus pneumoniae pan-genome influence over gene essentiality and in vivo genetic requirements.. Streptococcus pneumoniae

In this project, we utilized PacBio SMRT sequencing to obtain complete genomes and methylomes of a strain collection of S. pneumoniae, representing the pathogen's pan-genome. We have performed deep phenotypic and functional genomic characterization of these strains and found many differences. For instance, a different genetic content strongly influences which genes are essential for growth, and which are important during host infection. Currently, we are exploring the importance of methyltransferase-associated phase variation on the different phenotypes observed.

本研究采用PacBio单分子实时（SMRT）测序技术，获取了肺炎链球菌（Streptococcus pneumoniae，简称S. pneumoniae）菌株集合的完整基因组与甲基化组，该菌株集合覆盖该病原菌的泛基因组。本团队已对这批菌株开展深度表型与功能基因组学表征分析，并发现了诸多显著差异。例如，菌株间迥异的遗传物质组成会显著影响生长必需基因以及宿主感染过程中发挥关键作用的基因。目前，本团队正探究甲基转移酶相关相变异对本研究中观测到的各类表型的重要性。