Spa, Mark (2022) The emergence of plasmid-borne multidrug resistance in spatially structured environments with antibiotic treatment. Master's Research Project 1, Biology.
|
Text
FINAL_MSc_project_Mark (3).pdf Download (7MB) | Preview |
|
![[img]](https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
toestemming.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (122kB) |
Abstract
In this study, I take a modelling approach to evaluate conditions conducive to the emergence of multidrug resistance in spatially structured environments, with and without antibiotic treatment. I further consider the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria in a well-mixed environment, and test varying resource availability. By comparing simulation outcomes between four different environments (rich and well-mixed, poor and well-mixed, rich and spatially structured, poor and spatially structured), I assess which factors could favour or disfavour the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria. Spatial structure can favour the spread of costly plasmids in the absence of antibiotic selection, possibly by reducing resource competition through cluster formation. Environments rich in resources can also favour plasmid spread by sustaining higher population densities, where a higher amount of recipients is available for conjugation to take place. Antibiotic selection of the costlier plasmid decreases the emergence of multidrug resistant strains in all environments, but in a spatially structured, rich environment. Here, antibiotics can even favour the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. With this project, I stress the importance of accounting for environmental conditions when assessing the effects of antibiotics and provide arguments for why considering spatial structure is essential.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master's Research Project 1) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Doorn, G.S. van and Daras, I.M. |
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Master's Research Project 1 |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Oct 2022 12:12 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Oct 2022 12:12 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/28835 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |