Environmental cues controlling ICEclc activation and transfer

I'm working on the conjugative and integrative element ICEclc in Pseudomonas putida. This particular element is only activated under specific growth conditions (stationary phase with 3-chlorobenzoate as only carbon source) in 2 to 5 % of the population.

In my thesis, I aim to find the environmental signals able to trigger this activation at the single-cell level. So far I focused on the potential role of the oxidative stress response, I will then study the impact of the late sigma factor RpoS known to be implicated in ICEclc activation. Finally, I will work with the biochemical characterization of the several regulators of this ICE.