Finally, a shoutout to the blueycolors colour scheme for making all of my ggplots far more fun! 🟦 🟧 13/13

Resistance mutations accessed by ΔnudJ (blue) were significantly less fit than those accessed by the wildtype (orange) & both strains accessed mutants less fit than one would expect by chance (black: all mutations occurring at =rates): spontaneous mutation is not optimised for future fitness. 11/13

A mutation rates is made up from the rates of many different types of mutations (the mutational spectrum). We find that ΔnudJ has a significantly altered mutational spectrum to the wildtype, e.g. in the wt 22% of mutations are A>G, in ΔnudJ this is 9%. This is reversed by IS1 mutation in waaZ. 8/13

The antimutator ΔnudJ not only reduces mutation rates but also decreases the responsiveness of mutation rates to population density (usually mutation rates are elevated at low population densities in batch culture). Both of these traits are reverted by our strains carrying secondary mutations. 7/13

Disruption of nucleotide metabolism gene mutT increases mutation rates however, its sibling genes in the nudix hydrolase family had not been characterised. A massive survey by coauthor Huw Richards found that 4 knockouts from this family result in significant mutation rate decreases (nudBFJ&H) 5/13

Empty desk in Manchester ready for new adventures in microbial evolution elsewhere 🤯🦠 I can't express how much I will miss everyone in @mermanchester.bsky.social (leaving was made a little sweeter by my first ever 'best talk' prize at #northernBUG / #YUEG at @huddersfielduni.bsky.social last week)

Excited to speak at #PGG58 / #PopGroup58 about mutation rates, mutation spectra, antibiotic resistance and (if I talk fast enough) how the environment affects these.
Tuesday in LT3 right after lunch. 🦠🧬
Come for the mutations, stay for the Bluey colour schemed ggplots. 📊🟦🟧

#Evol2024 come along tomorrow morning at 10:30 in 520C if you want to hear about mutation rate/spectrum plasticity and an E. coli strain with a super low mutation rate 🧬🦠💻

Also, I'm going to be at #Evol2024 this week if anyone wants to chat all things mutation! I have a talk on Tuesday Morning 10:30am 9/8??

#SMBE2024 poster ready to go! Come and chat about mutation rate plasticity, h2o2, simulations, fluctuation assays and e.coli // e.faecalis cocultures. (Also @mermanchester.bsky.social visits teotihuacan, feeling very lucky to be in Mexico).

@mermanchester.bsky.social Absolutely smashing the Manchester 10k once again 🧪🧑‍🔬💪

#MEEhubs2024 was an incredible conference with amazing organisers!! Had a great time speaking, listening and chatting!