Growth of a Versatile Pathogen

Escherichia coli, is an intestinal commensal in healthy people and animals. Its growth patterns in various laboratory media have been investigated and became a model for bacterial growth. However, some strains of E. coli are highly pathogenic and cause intestinal infections or extra-intestinal infections such as UTI and meningitis. Here we will discuss - using transcriptomics, proteomics and "organ on chip" - the genetic and environmental factors which enable growth of the pathogens in the human body, including in serum and meningi.