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Contact Information:

Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences
Sanford School of Medicine of The University of South Dakota
414 E.Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
phone: (605)-677-5254
fax: (605)-677-6381
biomed@usd.edu

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Last Modified: 07/20/06

Keith E. Weaver Ph.D. (University of Texas)    Professor    Bacterial Genetics    (605) 677-5169   kweaver@usd.edu   Web Page (Opens a new window)

Bacterial plasmids are small circular DNA molecules that are replicated and inherited within cells separately from the chromosome. They are important because of their involvement in the spread of antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria and because they often carry genes important in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections. Dr. Weaver is interested in how these important genetic determinants are replicated, inherited, and transmitted by the bacteria that harbor them.

• S. Patel and K. E. Weaver (2006). Addiction Toxin Fst Has Unique Effects on Chromosome Segregation and Cell Division in Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus subtilis. Journal of Bacteriology 188: 5374-5384.
•  Weaver KE, Ehli EA, Nelson JS, Patel S (2004 Oct.). Antisense RNA regulation by stable complex formation in the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pAD1 par addiction system. Journal of Bacteriology 186(19):6400-8.
• Weaver KE, Weaver DM, Wells CL, Waters CM, Gardner ME, and Ehli EA (2003). Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pAD1-encoded Fst toxin affects membrane permeability and alters cellular responses to antibiotics. Journal of Bacteriology 185:2169-2177.