ÐÒÔË´óתÅÌ

Disputasen strømmes og et opptak vil være tilgjengelig i et døgn.
The defense will be streamed, and a recording of the disputation will be available for 24 hours.


Prøveforelesning over oppgitt emne starter kl. 10.15 / The trial lecture starts at 10.15
Tittel/Title:   “Tolerance or resistance: how foodborne pathogens protect themselves from multiple environmental stressors”


Disputasen starter kl. 12.15 / The defense starts at 12.15



Populærvitenskapelig sammendrag av avhandlingen/ Summary of the thesis:

Foodborne illnesses remain a serious global health challenge, especially in underdeveloped nations, where they cause countless deaths every year. The stomach’s gastric acid acts as a natural shield, destroying most harmful bacteria that enter our system. But some pathogens, like Vibrio cholerae, have evolved ways to survive this acid barrier. Once through, they can cause severe infections, often requiring antibiotics to control them. However, with antibiotic resistance on the rise, understanding how these bacteria adapt and survive is more crucial than ever.
This research dives into bacterial survival strategies, focusing on how foodborne bacteria adapt to harsh conditions like stomach acid, and how they develop resistance to antibiotics. In the first study, we explored how V. cholerae evolves to withstand environmental pressures. By comparing the genomes of two strains, we identify mutations in genes in communication, stress management, and acid resistance. These changes help the bacterium thrive in hostile environments. The second study took a closer look at acid tolerance. Using advanced genetic techniques, we identified new genes that play a role in helping V. cholerae survive acidic conditions. These genes point to multiple defense systems at work. Finally, the third study addressed antibiotic resistance, challenging traditional ideas about how resistance develops. We proposed a new concept – the secondary mutant selection window – that highlights how secondary mutations can drive resistance, reshaping how we think about antibiotic use.
These findings shed light on the ways bacteria adapt and survive, emphasizing the need for new strategies to combat foodborne diseases and antibiotic resistance.

Veiledere/ Supervisors:
Hovedveileder/Main supervisor:
Forsker Sören Abel, Institutt for farmasi, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, ÐÒÔË´óתÅÌ Norges arktiske universitet.
Biveiledere/supervisors:
Professor Pål Jarle Johnsen, Institutt for farmasi, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, ÐÒÔË´óתÅÌ Norges arktiske universitet.
Førsteamanuensis Pia Abel Zur Wiesch, Institutt for farmasi, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, ÐÒÔË´óתÅÌ Norges arktiske universitet

Bedømmelseskomité/Defensecomitee:
Margarita Novoa-Garrido, PhD,  Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Trondheim, Norway – 1. opponent.
RafaÅ‚ Mostowy, PhD, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland – 2. opponent.
Professor Johanna Ericson, Institutt for medisinsk biologi, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, ÐÒÔË´óתÅÌ Norges arktiske universitet – leder av komité.

Disputasleder/ Leader of defense: 
Professor Gøril Eide Flaten, Institutt for farmasi, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, ÐÒÔË´óתÅÌ Norges arktiske universitet.