QLS Seminar TODAY - Wed. 16 October at 14:00 - A complex systems view on plasmid-bacteria interactions

[Quantitative Life Sciences]

Dear All,

On Wednesday, 16 October at 14:00 CET, Shai Pilosof - Ben Gurion 
University of the Negev, Israel will give a seminar titled:

*A complex systems view on plasmid-bacteria interactions
*

_Abstract:_

Plasmids are infectious agents abundant in bacteria. By imposing 
selective pressure and moving genes between bacteria, they generate 
diversity, shape the structure and function of microbial communities, 
and drive resistance to antibiotics. However, to understand these 
effects, we need a deeper understanding of the structure of plasmid 
communities, of which we know very little. In this talk, I will first 
show what the structure of a plasmid genetic similarity network (sampled 
from empirical data) can tell us about the potential transmission of 
antibiotic resistance. Then, using an agent-based model, I will 
demonstrate how the interplay between the structure of plasmid-microbe 
infection networks influences community dynamics, showcasing the 
emergent dynamics of these complex ecological systems.
_
The seminar will take place in the *Common area*, Ex SISSA building, 
Second floor, via Beirut 2_
__
You are all most welcome to attend!

Best regards,
Erica

Erica Sarnataro
Group Secretary
Quantitative Life Sciences
The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
Trieste, Italy
Tel. +39-040-2240623
www.ictp.it/research/qls.aspx
e-mail: qls at ictp.it
<https://www.ictp.it/home/ictps-60th-anniversary>