Variation in Core and Accessory Parts of Genome of Escherichia Coli Isolated from Soil from Riparian Areas in New York State

Abstract

Escherichia coli is commensal bacteria and is a symbiont of the digestive system of vertebrates. Due to frequent deposition of E. coli into extrahost habitats (soil, water), approximately half of its population exists as free living organisms. It is unclear what genome-wide variation stands behind adaptation for extrahost habitat. This thesis applies a genome-wide association study approach to find genetic variation in core and accessory parts of genome of E. coli that is associated with 1) forest or agricultural field soil habitats and 2) with survival phenotype in soil microcosm. Gene composition analysis suggests that pan-genome of environmental E. coli is unlimited. Core and accessory genome contained variation associated with survival phenotype and with forest or field habitat.