Ecological and evolutionary interactions of phages and phytopathogenic bacteria

Clara Torres Barceló

Link to seminar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PWtnU-smQ9Oj15Nlrm924w

Plant Pathology, INRA, Avignon

Clara.TorresBarcelo@inra.fr

Bacterial infections in plants produce massive economic losses in the context of agriculture. Bacteriophages (phages) hold the promise of being the perfect hunters of pathogenic bacteria in a wide range of applications, including biocontrol. Integrating ecological and evolutionary perspectives of phages and bacterial pathogens could assure long-lasting and efficient biocontrol strategies against these important pests. In this work, a high genetic diversity was found in phages attacking the phytopathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, isolated in Reunion and Mauritius islands. Phylogenetic data of the targeted bacteria was integrated in the host range analysis of these Ralstonia phages, creating a phylogenetic host range index. Evolutionary trade-offs among traits of the isolated Ralstonia phages were tested, such as between their phylogenetic host range and their efficiency at decreasing bacterial growth. A broad host range is the main criterion of phage selection in therapeutic cocktails. Our results point out that other variables could refine the selection of candidate phages to be used in applications.

Plant Pathology, INRAE Avignon

clara.torresbarcelo@inrae.fr

Publications:

1 Trotereau, A., Boyer, C. , Bornard, I., Pécheur, M.J.B., Schouler, C. & Torres-Barceló, C. 2020. High genomic diversity of novel phages infecting the plant pathogen

Ralstonia solanacearum, isolated in Mauritius and Reunion islands. Scientific Reports, in revision.

2 Ansaldi M, Boulanger P, Brives C, Debarbieux L, Dufour N, Froissart R, Gandon S, Le Hénaff C, Petit MA, Rocha E & Torres-Barceló C. 2020. Antibacterial applications of bacteriophages. Virologie 24(1) : 23-36.

3 Torres-Barceló, C. 2018. The disparate effects of bacteriophages on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Emerging Microbes and Infections 7(1):168.