Bacterial Network and Antibiotic Resistance (IMAGE)
Caption
This illustration, developed through the research of Boston College Assistant Professor of Biology Tim van Opijnen, reflects the interactions of the genes of the potentially deadly bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae with five antibiotics represented in the squares (clockwise from lower left: levofloxacin, penicillin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and daptomycin). The circles represent individual genes, colored to denote their functions -- such as yellow for transport of materials; pale lavender for cell division. A black line shows that a gene is involved in protecting the bacterium from the antibiotic; a red line means the gene makes the bacterium more susceptible to the antibiotic. If any one of the six dark blue genes at the center are absent or damaged, bacterial growth slows in the presence of the antibiotics. These particular genes are involved in forming a structural shell around the bacterial cell, and van Opijnen says their products (e.g., proteins) may present a prime target for antibiotic attack. The seven genes in the box at center-left exhibit mixed interactions depending on the antibiotic. Van Opijnen says this might have value in that it could be "extremely confusing" for the bacterium, repressing its evolution toward resistance to penicillin and levofloxacin. (courtesy Boston College Magazine)
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Boston College
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