Our team started in 2012 with help of the ATIP-Avenir program with the aim to improve our understanding of a major mechanism of horizontal gene transfer : Natural competence. Bacterial competence for transformation is a genetically programmed physiological state that confers bacteria the ability to naturally acquire and integrate exogenous genetic material. Competence is inherent to the species and often considered the only true parasexual behavior in bacteria. The conditions and signals that trigger competence are multiple, elusive and often species-specific. Our main objectives are to identify the conditions and genes that control competence development in bacteria. We found that in the human pathogen Legionella pneumophila competence development is induced by DNA-damaging conditions such as antibiotic stress and exposure to UV radiation. We are characterizing the regulatory network that controls competence development in this pathogen commonly found in freshwater and manmade water systems. Using Legionella pneumophila and others bacterial pathogens of clinical importance we are investigating the role of competence and horizontal gene transfer during infection.
Our goal is to improve the understanding of a major mechanism of gene transfer known to be involved in evolution in response to therapeutic and prophylactic interventions. We use a combination of genetics, transcriptomics, and mid-throughput screening approaches.

Key words: Bacterial genetics, Transcriptional analysis, Horizontal gene transfer, Antibiotic stress, Gene expression