Mark Webber
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View article: Prior exposure strongly influences mechanisms underpinning survival of heat shock in Escherichia coli
Prior exposure strongly influences mechanisms underpinning survival of heat shock in Escherichia coli Open
The heat shock response of Escherichia coli represents a canonical example of how bacteria can recognize a stress and invoke a protective response by altering specific gene regulation. However, most understanding of the processes involved …
View article: Pivotal plasmids drive the global spread of CTX-M-27 in Escherichia coli
Pivotal plasmids drive the global spread of CTX-M-27 in Escherichia coli Open
The detection rate of CTX-M-27-producing E. coli has increased worldwide in recent years although relatively little is known about the strains and vectors responsible for this increased isolation.To explore the evolution of CTX-M-27-produc…
View article: Common food preservatives induce an oxidative stress response in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Common food preservatives induce an oxidative stress response in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium Open
Despite their frequent use, the mechanisms of action of common food preservatives are poorly understood. As there is a drive to develop alternative preservatives, understanding the mechanisms of action of current preservatives can inform t…
View article: Cyclic-di-GMP signalling mutants drive ecological succession and self-generated diversity in experimentally evolved biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Cyclic-di-GMP signalling mutants drive ecological succession and self-generated diversity in experimentally evolved biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Open
Biofilms represent a discrete form of microbial life which are physiologically distinct from free-living planktonic cells. The altered phenotypic manifestations of the biofilm may also elicit lifestyle-dependent adaptive responses to selec…
View article: The metallophore staphylopine is essential for survival of <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> in human synovial fluid
The metallophore staphylopine is essential for survival of <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> in human synovial fluid Open
Due to extended life expectancies, prosthetic joint infections are an increasing burden on healthcare institutions worldwide. The most commonly isolated causative agents are staphylococci, though the mechanisms underpinning survival and pr…
View article: P47 From commensal to culprit: the genetic diversity driving <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> infections
P47 From commensal to culprit: the genetic diversity driving <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> infections Open
Background Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the most isolated micro-organisms from clinical samples. Often considered a skin commensal, S. epidermidis infection can be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, primarily associate…
View article: Environmental context as a key driver of Pseudomonas biocontrol activity against Salmonella.
Environmental context as a key driver of Pseudomonas biocontrol activity against Salmonella. Open
Salmonella poses a significant threat to food security, with frequent outbreaks reported worldwide. A large percentage of these outbreaks are associated with fresh produce intended for raw consumption. Plant microbiomes harbour diverse mic…
View article: <i>Staphylococcus haemolyticus</i> is a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes in the preterm infant gut
<i>Staphylococcus haemolyticus</i> is a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes in the preterm infant gut Open
Staphylococcus haemolyticus is an important cause of sepsis in preterm infants, with gut colonization being recognized as a risk factor for infection. To better understand the diversity of S. haemolyticus among preterm infant…
View article: Diversity of <i>optrA</i> genetic structures in <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> from retail chicken and the differential biofilm-forming abilities of isolates at non-frozen temperatures
Diversity of <i>optrA</i> genetic structures in <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> from retail chicken and the differential biofilm-forming abilities of isolates at non-frozen temperatures Open
Aims This study aimed to explore the diversity of optrA genetic structures in Enterococcus faecalis from retail chicken and the variance in their biofilm-forming capabilities at refrigerated and room temperatures. By comprehensively studyi…
View article: Tazobactam selects for multidrug resistance
Tazobactam selects for multidrug resistance Open
View article: Throwing a spotlight on genomic dark matter: The power and potential of transposon-insertion sequencing
Throwing a spotlight on genomic dark matter: The power and potential of transposon-insertion sequencing Open
View article: Looking ahead: imbalance, dependency and NATO’s uncertain future
Looking ahead: imbalance, dependency and NATO’s uncertain future Open
View article: Risk, Resilience, and Resistance
Risk, Resilience, and Resistance Open
This is Chapter 12 of The Oxford Handbook of NATO, edited by James Sperling and Mark Webber (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2025), pp. 192-207. The development of ‘resilience thinking’ in NATO’s post-Cold War discourse and practice raise…
View article: <i>Staphylococcus haemolyticus</i>is a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes in the preterm infant gut
<i>Staphylococcus haemolyticus</i>is a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes in the preterm infant gut Open
Among coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus haemolyticus is a primary cause of bloodstream infections in preterm infants, with gut colonisation being recognised as a risk factor for subsequent infection. Through a re-analysis of…
View article: Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in biofilms
Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in biofilms Open
View article: Sticking together: independent evolution of biofilm formation in different species of staphylococci has occurred multiple times via different pathways
Sticking together: independent evolution of biofilm formation in different species of staphylococci has occurred multiple times via different pathways Open
View article: Identification of pathways required for <i>Salmonella</i> to colonize alfalfa using TraDIS- <i>Xpress</i>
Identification of pathways required for <i>Salmonella</i> to colonize alfalfa using TraDIS- <i>Xpress</i> Open
Enteropathogenic bacteria, such as Salmonella , have been linked to numerous fresh produce outbreaks, posing a significant public health threat. The ability of Salmonella to persist on fresh produce for extended periods is partly attribute…
View article: BatR: A novel regulator of antibiotic tolerance in<i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>biofilms
BatR: A novel regulator of antibiotic tolerance in<i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>biofilms Open
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multidrug-resistant opportunistic human pathogen. Chronic infections are associated with biofilms, conferring resistance to antibiotics and complicating treatment strategies. This study focuses on understanding …
View article: Overflow metabolism provides a selective advantage to Escherichia coli in mixed cultures
Overflow metabolism provides a selective advantage to Escherichia coli in mixed cultures Open
Purpose It has previously been shown that organic acids produced by Escherichia coli suppress the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in co-cultures under conditions of glucose excess, due to overflow metabolism. Inactivation of genes involve…
View article: Differential development of antibiotic resistance and virulence between <i>Acinetobacter</i> species
Differential development of antibiotic resistance and virulence between <i>Acinetobacter</i> species Open
The two species that account for most cases of Acinetobacter -associated bacteremia in the United Kingdom are Acinetobacter lwoffii , often a commensal but also an emerging pathogen, and Acinetobacter baumannii , a well-known antibiotic-re…
View article: Common food preservatives impose distinct selective pressures on Salmonella Typhimurium planktonic and biofilm populations
Common food preservatives impose distinct selective pressures on Salmonella Typhimurium planktonic and biofilm populations Open
Food preservatives are crucial in controlling microbial growth in processed foods to maintain food safety. Bacterial biofilms pose a threat in the food chain by facilitating persistence on a range of surfaces and food products. Cells in a …
View article: Sticking together: Independent evolution of biofilm formation in different species of staphylococci has occurred multiple times via different pathways
Sticking together: Independent evolution of biofilm formation in different species of staphylococci has occurred multiple times via different pathways Open
Various species of staphylococci cause a wide range of infections, including implant-associated infections which are often difficult to treat due to the presence of biofilms. Whilst some proteins involved in biofilm formation are known, th…
View article: Indwelling pleural catheter infection and colonisation: a clinical practice review
Indwelling pleural catheter infection and colonisation: a clinical practice review Open
Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are used in the management of malignant pleural effusions, but they can become infected in 5.7% of cases. This review aims to provide a summary of the development of IPC infections and their microbiology…
View article: Collateral sensitivity increases the efficacy of a rationally designed bacteriophage combination to control <i>Salmonella enterica</i>
Collateral sensitivity increases the efficacy of a rationally designed bacteriophage combination to control <i>Salmonella enterica</i> Open
The ability of virulent bacteriophages to lyse bacteria influences bacterial evolution, fitness, and population structure. Knowledge of both host susceptibility and resistance factors is crucial for the successful application of bacterioph…
View article: FakA impacts antiseptic susceptibility in<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>and<i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>
FakA impacts antiseptic susceptibility in<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>and<i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> Open
Biocides are widely used to control and prevent healthcare-associated infections and understanding how nosocomial pathogens respond to biocidal agents is key to improving infection prevention and control products and practices. An evolutio…
View article: Impact of daily octenidine skin washing versus nonwashing on antiseptic tolerance of coagulase-negative staphylococci in two neonatal intensive care units with different skin cleansing practices
Impact of daily octenidine skin washing versus nonwashing on antiseptic tolerance of coagulase-negative staphylococci in two neonatal intensive care units with different skin cleansing practices Open
Daily whole-body skin washing with OCT does not appear to select for CoNS isolates that are antiseptic tolerant towards OCT and CHX. There remains considerable uncertainty about the impact of different antiseptic regimes on neonatal skin m…
View article: Author Correction: Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance revisited
Author Correction: Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance revisited Open
View article: Genomic characterization of Pseudomonas spp. on food: implications for spoilage, antimicrobial resistance and human infection
Genomic characterization of Pseudomonas spp. on food: implications for spoilage, antimicrobial resistance and human infection Open
Background Pseudomonas species are common on food, but their contribution to the antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) burden within food or as a source of clinical infection is unknown. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen re…
View article: Carriage of multiple resistance genes by community and hospital isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia resistant to the first line drug of choice in Nigeria
Carriage of multiple resistance genes by community and hospital isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia resistant to the first line drug of choice in Nigeria Open
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen and causes life-threatening infections among the vulnerable, and occasionally in immunocompetent individuals. We examined the mechanisms of multi…
View article: Differential development of antibiotic resistance and virulence between<i>Acinetobacter</i>species
Differential development of antibiotic resistance and virulence between<i>Acinetobacter</i>species Open
The two species that account for most cases of Acinetobacter -associated bacteraemia in the UK are Acinetobacter lwoffii , often a commensal but also an emerging pathogen, and A. baumannii , a well-known antibiotic-resistant species. While…