Research Group Microbial Genetics

The Research Group for Microbial Genetics focuses on the phenomenon of mutation—changes in the genetic code that drive biological innovation. Studying mutations helps us understand how rapidly organisms can evolve and the pathways through which these changes occur. Our research particularly examines two key types of mutational events: modifications to existing genes and the acquisition of genes from other species through a process known as “horizontal gene transfer.”

Recently, we discovered that certain regulatory regions of DNA, specifically promoters located before genes, exhibit high levels of mutation. After identifying this phenomenon in one promoter, we are now investigating how widespread this process is and whether these mutations contribute to adaptive evolution.

Another major focus of our research is the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance. Many pathogenic bacteria acquire resistance genes from other species, a critical concern for public health. We aim to deepen our understanding of this gene transfer process and explore potential strategies to mitigate it.