dc.contributor.advisor | Allen, Rosalind | en |
dc.contributor.advisor | Colegrave, Nick | en |
dc.contributor.author | Magennis, Marisa | en |
dc.date.accessioned | 2016-11-09T10:49:55Z | |
dc.date.available | 2016-11-09T10:49:55Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2013-11-28 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1842/17853 | |
dc.description.abstract | Resource conditions in nature can fluctuate markedly and how organisms adapt to
survive in these conditions is of great interest in the fields of evolutionary biology
and ecology. Experimental evolution using microbes has been shown to be effective
in answering general evolutionary questions. Using this technique, I studied the
bacterium Escherichia coli adapting to fluctuating environments to investigate the
evolution of growth traits and the dynamics of adaptation. My results have provided
general insight into bacterial adaptation which may allow for better prediction of
growth trait evolution in a range of conditions. (1) I have shown that evolution in
both predictable and unpredictable environments resulted in the evolution of a
reduced lag phase, an increased growth rate and a higher maximum population size.
My results suggest that bacteria do not adapt to conditions by anticipating the timing
of the resource renewal. (2) I found that a trade-off exists for evolved populations
between a reduced lag phase and a higher mortality rate in all environments, and
propose this as an explanation as to why some bacteria retain a lag phase. (3) I show
that the dynamics of adaptation do not differ between populations adapted to
conditions which involved varying periods of time in stationary phase between
transfers. There seem to be different mutations for different traits, with mutations to
the lag reducing first, followed by growth rate, and finally population size. These
findings highlight the dynamics of growth trait evolution in environments in which a
complex interplay exists between reproducing and growing faster than competitors,
and being able to survive in starvation conditions. | en |
dc.contributor.sponsor | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) | en |
dc.language.iso | en | |
dc.publisher | The University of Edinburgh | en |
dc.subject | Escherichia coli | en |
dc.subject | e-coli | en |
dc.subject | experimental evolution | en |
dc.subject | growth trait | en |
dc.subject | lag phase | en |
dc.subject | adaption | en |
dc.subject | fitness | en |
dc.subject | mutation | en |
dc.title | Dynamics of adaptation in fluctuating environments - an experimental evolution study with Escherichia coli | en |
dc.type | Thesis or Dissertation | en |
dc.type.qualificationlevel | Doctoral | en |
dc.type.qualificationname | PhD Doctor of Philosophy | en |
dc.rights.embargodate | 2100-12-31 | |
dcterms.accessRights | Restricted Access | en |