Abstract
We describe a new method, siBar, which enables simultaneous tracking of plasmids and chromosomal lineages within a bacterial host. siBar involves integration of a linearized plasmid construct carrying a unique combination of two molecular barcodes. Upon recircularization one barcode remains integrated into the host chromosome, while the other remains on the plasmid allowing direct observation of expansion and contraction of adaptive lineages. We also performed a pilot evolution experiment that allowed us to assess the barcode complexity and establish an analytical framework for the analysis of siBar data.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Copyright
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY 4.0 International license.