Genomics of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli (ETEC)

The last half-century has seen a remarkable shift in our view of intestinal Escherichia coli, from one of harmless commensal to that of a versatile pathogen able to cause disease in both man and animals. E. coli may be catalogued into several pathogenic groups termed pathotypes. Sequencing projects have resulted in the complete genome sequences being available for all but one recognised pathotype of E. Coli enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Surprisingly, this pathotype is responsible for the majority of E. coli mediated intestinal disease, as well as causing significant economic losses as a pathogen of animals. <P>
Here we propose to sequence the complete genome of enterotoxigenic E. coli H10407 using a whole genome shotgun method. Once the sequence data is generated it will be annotated, made available through the BBSRC funded coliBase, and used to prime hypothesis-driven research.<P> Furthermore, using multilocus sequence typing we will determine the phylogenetic distribution of ETEC. Strains of ETEC representative of each phylogenetic cluster will be examined by whole genome PCR and microarray to determine gene content and genetic structure, and more fully characterise the ETEC vaccine strains currently being used in clinical trials. (Joint with BB/C510075/1).