Variation in isolates of Escherichia coli obtained from surface soil. Escherichia coli

Enteric bacteria, including E. coli, are frequently deposited in non-host environments, including soil. Although evidence has accumulated that E. coli, and its phylogroups (i.e., subspecies), can adapt to soil, plant surfaces, waterways and lakeshore sediments, a large, well-curated sample of isolates from non-host environments is required to study the evolution of E. coli in these environments. This project seeks to identify phenotypic traits and genotypes associated with enhanced survival or growth in soil using genome sequences from just such an isolate collection.