Understanding plasmid-mediated dissemination of antimicrobial resistance

Title: Understanding plasmid-mediated dissemination of antimicrobial resistance

Speaker: Dr Leah Roberts, UQ Frazer Institute

Abstract: The rapid rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among clinically-important bacteria threatens our ability to treat and manage infections. Plasmids are known to be key drivers of AMR, owing to their ability to transfer horizontally between bacterial cells. Despite this well known phenomenon, plasmid investigations have lagged due to the difficulty in resolving them from short-read sequencing techniques. However, with the advent of long-read sequencing, our ability to interrogate plasmid biology with detailed precision has become a reality. Here, I will present some recent examples of how we have applied long-read sequencing to investigate plasmid-mediate AMR dissemination among a diverse group of pathogens, outlining novel bioinformatic techniques to resolve and compare plasmids.

Bio: Dr Leah Roberts is an NHMRC EL1 investigator fellow based at UQ's Frazer Institute (Herson Campus). She leads a bacterial genomics research team with a strong focus on investigating mobile genetic elements, particularly plasmids, and their role in bacterial adaptation and transmission of antimicrobial resistance.