Whole-genome, whole-population sequencing of Escherichia coli ZK819 in prolonged stationary phase

ZK819 carries a mutant allele of rpoS which confers a growth advantage in stationary phase. The long-term fitness of this allele was assessed in prolonged stationary phase by evaluating the mutation profiles and the population dynamics of five populations independently evolving for 28 days of batch culture. This study could reveal which functions and pathways are likely to be modulated to gain a fitness advantage in prolonged stationary phase and the extent to which this advantage is sustained in the diverse & dynamical stresses of this environment.