Researcher Highlight: Evan Mercier
Dr. Evan Mercier joined the Department of Microbiology and Infectious diseases at Université de Sherbrooke in September 2022. His research group is focused on mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, in particular, how expression of bacterial multidrug efflux pumps (MEPs) contributes to resistance and emergence of resistance. Understanding how and when mRNAs encoding MEPs are transcribed and translated in bacteria will reveal how their expression is regulated and how they work synergistically with other resistance mechanisms.
Evan completed his BSc in biochemistry at Brock University and his PhD in biomolecular sciences at University of Lethbridge, studying the structural dynamics of bacterial translation factors using wet-lab biochemistry and molecular dynamics simulations. This work revealed a number of insights into how fast-timescale dynamics can impact the function of ribosome-associated translation factors. Evan conducted his postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences focusing on the translation and co-translational maturation of bacterial membrane proteins using physical biochemistry and single-molecule biophysics. Some key findings from this work related to the discontinuous rate of mRNA translation by the ribosome. Specifically, ribosomal pausing during critical events such as membrane targeting, membrane insertion, and protein folding were pivotal for efficient gene expression.
Evan’s interdisciplinary research program incorporates a range of techniques including microbiology, biochemistry, single-molecule biophysics and molecular dynamics simulations. This approach will help connect gene expression, protein synthesis, and protein structural dynamics with bacterial phenotypes including antibiotic resistance. Several research projects in the group are currently focused on the critical priority pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, which is often resistant to first-line antibiotics. The study of gene expression in this bacterium is helping to reveal potential targets for small-molecule inhibitors that could be used to increase antibiotic susceptibility and suppress the emergence of resistance during antibiotic treatment. Complementary structural analysis of these targets will aid the next phase of projects aimed at designing small-molecule inhibitors.
Evan has long been integrated into the Canadian RNA research community: as a graduate student he was chair of the student organizing committee for the RiboWest conference and an active contributor at RiboClub monthly sessions. He is presently a member of the RiboClub and RNA Pole at Université de Sherbrooke, co-organizer of RiboClub 2026, and acting chair of the Membership and Analytics Committee within RNA Canada ARN. By continuing to assist the Canadian RNA community, Evan is eager to see continued innovation to help mitigate the global health burden of antimicrobial resistance. For more information about Evan and his research program, be sure to consult his website, his publication list, or reach out via email.
