T. Verma

Reconciling the importance of minerals for propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment

This study investigates how mineral surfaces affect the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes in biofilms by examining DNA uptake, viability, and transformation efficiency.

Functional loss of rffG and rfbB, encoding dTDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratase, changes colony morphology, cell shape, motility and virulence in Salmonella Typhimurium

This study shows that deleting both rffG and rfbB in Salmonella Typhimurium causes changes in cell shape, motility, and virulence.

Fundamentals of biofilm formation in soil: From functionalized self-assembled monolayers to rewilding

This study examines how surface chemistry affects bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on different substrates, finding that hydrophobic and positively charged surfaces promote bacterial attachment while hydrophilic and negatively charged surfaces inhibit it.

Recurrence and propagation of past functions through mineral facilitated horizontal gene transfer

The paper shows that fragmented ancient DNA on mineral surfaces can be incorporated by bacteria, suggesting a non-random mechanism for genetic variation and evolutionary innovation.

Evolution of mate harm resistance in females from Drosophila melanogaster populations selected for faster development and early reproduction

This study shows that female mate harm resistance decreases in Drosophila melanogaster populations selected for faster development and early reproduction, likely due to changes in breeding ecology and male trait evolution.

Spatial structure imposes sex-specific costs but does not reduce interlocus sexual conflict

The paper tests how spatial structure affects interlocus sexual conflict in Drosophila melanogaster, finding sex-specific survival costs but no strong evidence of spatial structuring modulating conflict intensity.

Cytoplasmic membrane thinning observed by interfacial dyes is likely a common effect of bactericidal antibiotics

The paper uses membrane-specific dyes to measure antibiotic-induced membrane damage in E. coli and ESKAPE pathogens, finding that cytoplasmic membrane thinning correlates with bactericidal antibiotic sensitivity.

Evolution of reduced mate-harming tendency of males in Drosophila melanogaster populations selected for faster life history

This study shows that faster life history evolution in Drosophila melanogaster reduces male mate-harming ability despite increased courtship activity.

Intergenerational paternal effect of adult density in Drosophila melanogaster

This study shows that paternal exposure to adult density in Drosophila melanogaster affects offspring competitive ability and male fitness components, indicating paternal environment as a source of fitness variation.