Welcome to the SPP 1617

Phenotypic heterogeneity is a phenomenon where genetically identical cells acquire distinct phenotypes. In many cases the switching of phenotypic states and stable formation of two or more subpopulations can be considered as special type of survival or adaptation strategy. The Priority Programme SPP 1617 aims at the characterization of the molecular mechanisms of bacterial phenotypic heterogeneity, the elucidation of its biological significance, and answering the question how evolution gave rise to genotypes that express diverse phenotypes.