Control Group and OHMC Seminar - Fernanda Pinheiro, Human Technopole, Milan, Italy

Speaker: Fernanda Pinheiro, Human Technopole, Milan, Italy.

Title: Predicting antibiotic resistance evolution

Abstract: In this talk, I will present a fitness model that predicts growth rates of common resistance mutants from their effects on cell metabolism. The model maps metabolic effects of resistance mutations in drug-free environments and under drug challenge; the resulting fitness trade-off defines a Pareto surface of resistance evolution. It predicts evolutionary trajectories of growth rates and resistance levels, which characterize Pareto resistance mutations emerging at different drug dosages. The model also predicts the prevalent resistance mechanism depending on drug and nutrient levels: low-dosage drug defense is mounted by regulation, evolution of distinct metabolic sectors sets in at successive threshold dosages. Evolutionary resistance mechanisms include membrane permeability changes and drug target mutations. These predictions are confirmed by empirical growth inhibition curves and genomic data of Escherichia coli populations. In a broader context, I will discuss how systems biology can serve as a powerful tool for ecological and evolutionary predictions.

Short bio: Fernanda Pinheiro is a Group Leader in Computational Biology @HumanTechnopole, Milan, Italy.

We strongly encourage you to attend the seminar in person. You can also connect via Zoom:

https://newnham.zoom.us/j/92544958528?pwd=YS9PcGRnbXBOcStBdStNb3E0SHN1UT09