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Phenotypic resistant single-cell characteristics under recurring ampicillin antibiotic exposure in Escherichia coli .

Silvia KollerováLionel JouvetJulia SmelkováSara Zunk-ParrasAlexandro Rodríguez-RojasUlrich Karl Steiner
Published in: mSystems (2024)
Antibiotic resistance is a major challenge for modern medicine. Aside from genetic resistance to antibiotics, phenotypic resistance that is not heritable might play a crucial role for the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Using a highly controlled microfluidic system, we characterize single cells under recurrent exposure to antibiotics. Fluctuating antibiotic exposure is likely experienced under common antibiotic therapies. These phenotypic resistant cell characteristics differ from previously described phenotypic resistance, highlighting the diversity of modes of resistance. The phenotypic characteristics of resistant cells we identify also imply that such cells might provide a stepping stone toward genetic resistance, thereby causing treatment failure.
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