Phase_variable_epigenetic_control_in_firmicutes

In 2014 we have published independently that the human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae has in its core-genome a phase variable type I restriction modification system which influences via epigenetic control gene expression and virulence (Manso et al., Nat Commun. 2014, 5:5055; Croucher et al., Nat Commun. 2014. 5:5471). The main aim of the project is to translate this biological novelty and unicum into a general paradigm. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/