Dr. Vaughn Cooper
Professor, University of Pittsburgh
PI: Prof. Marcus Dillon
February 7, 2025
12 to 1 PM
IB 140
Title: What experimental evolution can tell us about the biology of host-microbe interactions
Abstract: Evolutionary genetics of opportunistic bacteria growing on surfaces or in hosts. Most bacteria live in aggregates on various surfaces, including host organisms, where they tend to tolerate stresses better than if living as solitary, free-swimming cells. Theory suggests that evolutionary dynamics in these conditions also differ, with more diversity in the biofilm than in planktonic conditions. We hypothesized that the evolution of antimicrobial resistance would also differ, not only in terms of dynamics but also in the genetic and biochemical pathways. I will present tests of this hypothesis with the major opportunistic pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii using evolution experiments both in vitro and in vivo along with clinical isolates analyzed at the genomic scale. I relate these findings to similar studies with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Our studies reveal surprising predictability in some resistance pathways and potential vulnerabilities that interact with host immunity that may be exploited.
Background: Dr. Cooper is a researcher and educator focused on antimicrobial drug discovery, vaccine development, microbial genetics, and evolutionary biology. He leads studies on the evolution of antimicrobial resistance, biofilm adaptations in chronic infections, and viral evolution, while also mentoring students through their EvolvingSTEM program and co-directing the Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine.
Visit Vaughn's Google Scholar page for a full list of published papers to learn more about his research!