Abstract: Methods for identifying bacterial strains by using sets of distributed genes that are present in some but not all strains of a given species, associated methods for treating bacterial infections are disclosed. The methods may include examining a sample of a bacterial species, selecting a strain of interest based on possession of a unique genetic characteristic that is present in only the strain of interest and not in the other strains, examining the distributed genes possessed by the strain of interest, and detecting gene-possession variation in the distributed genes of the sample strains as compared to genes of known strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying putative antibiotic resistance genes. According to one embodiment, this is carried out by first isolating a microbial DNA molecule or cDNA which encodes a putative antibiotic resistance protein or polypeptide and then determining whether the microbial DNA molecule or cDNA confers resistance against an antibiotic agent. According to another embodiment, this is carried out by first determining whether a microbial DNA molecule or cDNA confers resistance against an antibiotic agent when the microbial DNA molecule is expressed in its native cell following transformation of the cell and then isolating the microbial DNA molecule or cDNA which confers resistance against the antibiotic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying putative antibiotic resistance genes. According to one embodiment, this is carried out by first isolating a microbial DNA molecule or cDNA which encodes a putative antibiotic resistance protein or polypeptide and then determining whether the microbial DNA molecule or cDNA confers resistance against an antibiotic agent. According to another embodiment, this is carried out by first determining whether a microbial DNA molecule or cDNA confers resistance against an antibiotic agent when the microbial DNA molecule is expressed in its native cell following transformation of the cell and then isolating the microbial DNA molecule or cDNA which confers resistance against the antibiotic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of predicting the evolutionary potential of a mutant resistance gene, which is carried out by providing a host cell which includes a mutant resistance gene either including two or more nucleic acid modifications or encoding a mutant polypeptide including two or more amino acid modifications, wherein the mutant resistance gene or mutant polypeptide confers a selectable advantage to the host cell, and then determining whether the mutant resistance gene is likely to evolve through two or more independent mutation events. Also disclosed are the resulting mutant resistance genes and their encoded polypeptides, and methods of using such mutant resistance genes to screen a drug for anti-pathogenic activity against a pathogen and assessing the potential longevity of a candidate anti-pathogenic drug.