Faculty of Science
Microbiology and Immunology

Osmotic conditions shape fitness gains and resistance mechanisms during E. coli and T4 phage co-evolution

A schematic of bacteria and phage co-evolution

Publication Date

Publication Journal

mBio

Author(s)

Michael Hunter, Eric Lyall, Kriti Verma, and Carolina Tropini 

Phages, viruses that infect bacteria, are a promising alternative to antibiotics, but their safety and efficacy depends on environmental conditions in sites such as the human gut. In this study, the authors investigated how osmolality (solute concentration) influences how bacteria and phages evolve together. They found that in both low and high osmolality conditions, bacteria developed resistance to phages, although through separate mechanisms, and that the high osmolality bacteria evolved in ways that could make them more harmful. These results highlight the importance of considering environmental factors when developing phage therapies.

  • Tropini Lab

Musqueam First Nation land acknowledegement

We honour xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) on whose ancestral, unceded territory UBC Vancouver is situated. UBC Science is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples so we can advance Reconciliation and ensure traditional ways of knowing enrich our teaching and research.

Learn more: Musqueam First Nation

Microbiology and Immunology

1365–2350 Health Sciences Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6T 1Z3

Faculty of Science

Office of the Dean, Earth Sciences Building
2178–2207 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6T 1Z4
UBC Crest The official logo of the University of British Columbia. Urgent Message An exclamation mark in a speech bubble. Arrow An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Bluesky The logo for the Bluesky social media service. A bookmark An ribbon to indicate a special marker. Calendar A calendar. Caret An arrowhead indicating direction. Time A clock. Chats Two speech clouds. External link An arrow pointing up and to the right. Facebook The logo for the Facebook social media service. A Facemask The medical facemask. Information The letter 'i' in a circle. Instagram The logo for the Instagram social media service. Linkedin The logo for the LinkedIn social media service. Lock, closed A closed padlock. Lock, open An open padlock. Location Pin A map location pin. Mail An envelope. Mask A protective face mask. Menu Three horizontal lines indicating a menu. Minus A minus sign. Money A money bill. Telephone An antique telephone. Plus A plus symbol indicating more or the ability to add. RSS Curved lines indicating information transfer. Search A magnifying glass. Arrow indicating share action A directional arrow. Spotify The logo for the Spotify music streaming service. Twitter The logo for the Twitter social media service. Youtube The logo for the YouTube video sharing service.