MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'bacterium'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:50:09 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4733273&cid=t_139490_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FhsKU3_uGzUg%2F Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Cliff Mintz, Michael Schmidt, and Ronald Atlas. Vincent, Cliff, Michael and Ron discuss the genome sequqnce of a mercury-methylating bacterium and the antimicrobial effects of nanoparticles. Click the arrow above to play, or right click to download TWiM #5 (52.5 MB .mp3, 76 minutes). Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes,  Zune Marketplace, via RSS feed, by email or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app. Image of Biofilm of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans by PNNL – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory via flickr Links for this episode: Genome sequence of a mercury-methylating Desulfovibrio strain Dusulfovibrio commentary in ScienceDaily Review on the genus Desulfovibrio (pdf) Perturbation of an Artic soil microbe community by nanoparticles N... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4733273 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:46 +0100 4733273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214109&cid=t_139490_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsudoku-solving-e-coli%2F2010.11.30 E. coli is a Gram negative rod-shaped bacterium that is a regular inhabitant of the human gastrointestinal tract and certain strains can cause a lot of trouble. A team from the University of Tokyo in Japan, however, have manipulated the bacterium to perform a more noble task: Solving Sudoku. The bacterium managed to solve 4×4 grid Sudoku puzzles, and in theory the more common 9×9 grid puzzles should be solvable as well. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214109 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:00:13 +0100 4214109 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2126212&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F01%2Fgram-negative-bacteria.html The Gram-stain technique is used to classify bacteria as either Gram-positive or Gram-negative depending on their colour following a specific staining procedure originally developed by Hans Christian Gram. As the word "Gram" is derived from a name it is always written with an upper case "G". Following the Gram stain procedure, and on visualization with a microscope Gram-positive bacteria appear dark blue or violet due to the crystal violet stain; Gram-negative bacteria, which cannot retain the crystal violet stain, appear red or pink due to the counterstain. Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet due to a difference in structure of their cell wall, specifically the amount of peptidoglycan.Gram-negative bacteria do not retain the crystal violet dye in the Gram stain protocol. Gram... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2126212 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:35:00 +0100 2126212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1889073&cid=t_139490_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FquoNcej4iOQ%2F … he has identified how two different kinds of Chlamydia can cause both coronary artery disease and miscarriages. Solving one mystery gave him clues that he needed to figure out the other. By focusing on the immune system mechanisms in Chlamydia infections, Azenabor has identified an important link in seemingly unrelated health problems. The result could be new treatments and prevention strategies for both heart disease and infertility. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a microbe that normally causes pneumonia and bronchitis, but it has long been associated with atherosclerosis, a cardiovascular disease also called “hardening of the arteries.” Huh? Chlamydia? Yes, when the macrophages’ cell walls are infected with the C. pneumoniae their usually tight cholesterol, which they regularly store,... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1889073 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:24:26 +0100 1889073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1751320&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F09%2Fgram-positive-bacteria.html Gram-positive bacteria are generally divided into the Actinobacteria and the Firmicutes.The Actinobacteria or actinomycetes are a group of Gram-positive bacteria with high G+C ratio. They include some of the most common soil bacteria. Other Actinobacteria inhabit plants and animals and including some pathogens, such as Mycobacterium, Corynebacterium, Nocardia, Rhodococcus and a few species of Streptomyces. Actinobacteria produce secondary metabolites and are important to the pharmacological and biotechnology industries. Streptomyces species, for example, produce important antibiotics. Some Actinobacteria form branching filaments and some Actinomycetes species produce endospores.The majority of Firmicutes have Gram-positive cell wall structure. However some, the Mollicutes or mycoplasmas, l... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1751320 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:58:00 +0100 1751320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1729790&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F08%2Fspotlight-on-xanthomonas.html The genus Xanthomonas consists of 20 plant-associated species, many of which cause important diseases of crops and ornamental plants. Individual species comprise multiple pathovars, characterized by distinctive host specificity or mode of infection. Genomics is at the center of a revolution in Xanthomonas biology. Complete genome sequences are available for nine Xanthomonas strains, representing three species and five pathovars, including vascular and non-vascular pathogens of the important models for plant biology, Arabidopsis thaliana and rice. With the diversity of complete and pending Xanthomonas genome sequences, the genus has become a superb model for understanding functional, regulatory, epidemiological, and evolutionary aspects of host- and tissue-specific plant pathogenesis.Furthe... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1729790 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:06:00 +0100 1729790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1714755&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F08%2Fexopolysaccharides.html Microorganisms synthesize a wide spectrum of exopolysaccharides many of which have important applications in biotechnology and the food imdustry. Exopolysaccharides produced by microorganisms include: acetan (Acetobacter xylinum) alginate (Azotobacter vinelandii) cellulose (Acetobacter xylinum) chitosan (Mucorales spp.) curdlan (Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes) cyclosophorans (Agrobacterium spp., Rhizobium spp. and Xanthomonas spp.) dextran (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leuconostoc dextranicum and Lactobacillus hilgardii) emulsan (Acinetobacter calcoaceticus) galactoglucopolysaccharides (Achromobacter spp., Agrobacterium radiobacter, Pseudomonas marginalis, Rhizobium spp. and Zooglea spp.) gellan (Aureomonas elodea and Sphingomonas paucimobilis) glucuronan (Rhizobium meliloti) N-acetyl-h... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1714755 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:06:00 +0100 1714755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1714756&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F08%2Fbacterial-cellulose.html Many bacteria possess the genes needed to produce cellulose. However, Gluconacetobacter xylinus (formerly Acetobacter xylinum) is used for studies of the biochemistry and genetics of cellulose biosynthesis. Structurally cellulose is a simple polysaccharide, in that it consists only of one type of sugar (glucose), and the units are linearly arranged and linked together by β-1,4 linkages only. The mechanism of biosynthesis is however rather complex, partly because in native celluloses the chains are organized as highly ordered water-insoluble fibers. Currently the key genes involved in cellulose biosynthesis and regulation are known in a number of bacteria, but many details of the biochemistry of its biosynthesis are still not clear. A survey of genome sequence databases clearly indicat... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1714756 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:57:00 +0100 1714756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1712024&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F08%2Fdiagnosis-and-treatment-of-legionnaires.html The methods currently available to diagnose Legionnaires' disase are culture, urinary antigen detection, direct fluorescent antibody testing, detection of nucleic acid and detection of specific antibodies in serum samples. Presently, none of the diagnostic tests available offers the desired quality with respect to sensitivity and specificity. Culture should be obligatory, especially when hospitalized patients with underlying diseases are investigated. A positive culture is the prerequisite of molecular epidemiological investigations. Urinary antigen detection is a valuable tool in the majority of community-acquired cases when L. pneumophila serogroup 1 is the causative agent. In cases of nosocomial disease, when Legionella pneumophila serogroups other than sg 1 are frequent, this assay has... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1712024 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:05:00 +0100 1712024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1705407&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F08%2Fclostridia-in-anti-tumor-therapy.html Recent research suggests that Clostridium-based tumor targeted therapy holds promise for the treatment of solid tumors. Upon systemic administration, various strains of non-pathogenic clostridia have been shown to infiltrate and selectively replicate within solid tumors. This specificity is based upon the unique physiology of solid tumors, which is often characterized by regions of hypoxia and necrosis. Clostridial vectors can be safely administered and their potential to deliver therapeutic proteins has been demonstrated in a variety of preclinical models. from Asferd Mengesha, Ludwig Dubois, Kim Paesmans, Brad Wouters, Philippe Lambin and Jan Theys in Clostridia: Molecular Biology in the Post-genomic EraFurther reading: Clostridia: Molecular Biology in the Post-genomic EraFull range of ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1705407 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:54:00 +0100 1705407 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1627064&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Fcorynebacterium-book-review.html Writing in the journal Microbiology Today (Society for General Microbiology, UK), Paul Hoskisson of the University of Strathclyde, UK, reviews a new book on Corynebacteria published by Caister Academic Press: "it is not surprising that this book has followed the Handbook of Corynebacterium glutamicum (2005, Eggling & Bott, eds). Obviously there is some overlap in these volumes; however, this one is updated and brings in information relevant to other Corynebacteria ... There is a chapter on plasmids and promoters and their applications that researchers will find very useful in a practical sense ... researchers in the field with find this a useful and up to date addition to their library."For full details please visit Corynebacteria: Genomics and Molecular BiologyFull range of books on micro... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1627064 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:46:00 +0100 1627064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1627066&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Fstaphylococcus-book-review.html Writing in the journal Microbiology Today (Society for General Microbiology, UK), Madeline Stone & Kathy Bamford from the Imperial College London, UK, review a new book on Staphylococcus published by Caister Academic Press: "This is an incredibly useful book for anyone with in interest in staphylococci. It provides a broad and in-depth synopsis of up-to-date staphylococcal research. This book is very well suited to its target audiences, researchers who are relatively new to the field and also as a suitable reference for those with greater experience. The first five chapters are particularly informative, providing an excellent overview of the staphylococcal sequencing projects, population structure and evolution of S. aureus, as well as analysis of the methods used ... The chapter on 'Globa... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1627066 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:40:00 +0100 1627066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1627067&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Fleishmania-book-review.html Writing in the journal Microbiology Today (Society for General Microbiology, UK), Simon L. Croft of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK, reviews a new book on Leishmania published by Caister Academic Press: "The volume is up-to-date; the genome was published in 2005 and the most recent references in the book were published in 2007. There is a richness of information - chapters on gene regulation and the metabolome are particularly engaging ... Let us enjoy a volume that provides a valuable overview of the molecular biology and biochemistry of these fascinating parasites, their metabolic pathways, differentiation process, and their surface molecules"For full details please visit Leishmania: After The GenomeFull range of books on microbiology at Microbiology Books (Source:... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1627067 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:38:00 +0100 1627067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1627068&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Farchaea-book-review.html Writing in the journal Microbiology Today (Society for General Microbiology, UK), Edward Bolt of the University of Nottingham, UK, reviews a new book on Archaea published by Caister Academic Press: "I particularly enjoyed a review on signal transduction in archaea, which captures the frontiersman spirit of some research into Archaea ... The chapter on DNA replication holds it own against several recent review articles in journals ... The book is timely and the publishers promise a 'state-of-the-art overview of Archaea'. In this it mostly works, and its slimness (246 pages) reflects a concise and mostly well-referenced style ... it conveys plenty of the novelty and oddity in Archaea that captures the imagination of students, researchers and PIs."For full details please visit Archaea: New Mo... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1627068 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:30:00 +0100 1627068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1618920&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Facinetobacter-book-review.html Writing in the journal International Microbiology, Mercedes Berlanga of the University of Barcelona, Spain, describes a new book on Acinetobacter published by Caister Academic Press as a "useful book ... especially recommended for advanced students in the field, senior researchers, and physicians". She continues to suggest that "all microbiologists will find in the book an exceptional opportunity to extend their understanding of an unusual and unique microbial group."Other reviewers have also heaped praise on this book, edited by Ulrike Gerischer of the University of Ulm, Germany. It is pleasing that a major new review of Acetinobacter research has been received in such a positive manner by the scientific community. This book will be a major resource for many years to come.For full details... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1618920 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:08:00 +0100 1618920 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1597565&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Fclostridium.html The genus Clostridium represents a heterogeneous group of anaerobic spore-forming bacteria, comprising prominent toxin-producing species, such as C. difficile, C. botulinum, C. tetani and C. perfringens, in addition to well-known non-pathogens like solventogenic C. acetobutylicum. In the last decade several clostridial genomes have been deciphered and post-genomic studies are currently underway. The advent of newly developed, genetic manipulation tools have permitted functional-based and systems biology analyses of several clostridial strains. Further reading: Clostridia: Molecular Biology in the Post-genomic EraBotulinum and Tetanus NeurotoxinsBotulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) and tetanus toxin (TeNT) are potent toxins which are responsible for severe diseases, botulism and tetanus, in men and... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1597565 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:00:00 +0100 1597565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1583299&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Ftreponema-book-review.html from Gerard Carter in Aus. J. Med. Sci. (2008) 29: 63-64Pathogenic Treponema, edited by Radolf and Lukehart, is a comprehensive update of the current state of knowledge of the Treponemes and other spirochaetes ... Thirty five scientists who specialise in molecular biology, epidemiology, entomology and microbiology have pooled their findings of their more recent research efforts to produce an up-to-date account of Treponemal biology ... This hardback text is sturdily bound (less and less common these days) and beautifully printed on very high quality paper. It will make a welcome and useful addition to the libraries of any microbiological research laboratory and pathology establishment.Further reading: Pathogenic TreponemaFull range of books on microbiology at Microbiology Books (Source: Mi... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1583299 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:24:00 +0100 1583299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1566917&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Flegionnaires-disease.html from Paul H. Edelstein in Legionella: Molecular MicrobiologyThe history of Legionnaires' disease began at least 33 years before the 1976 Philadelphia epidemic, when Legionella micdadei was isolated from human blood. Multiple isolations of several different Legionella spp. were made prior to 1976, and it was known by 1968 that tetracycline therapy prevented deaths in L. pneumophila-infected chicken embryos. The 1976 epidemic provided the scientific focus and resources necessary to determine that L. pneumophila caused epidemic pneumonia and to show that epidemics of Legionnaires' disease had occurred worldwide many years before 1976. Despite a surfeit of available resources and expertise, the effort to isolate the etiologic agent succeeded solely on the basis of one person's determination to... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1566917 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:43:00 +0100 1566917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1566918&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Fxanthan-biosynthesis.html from Anke Becker and Frank-Jörg Vorhölter in Microbial Production of BiopolymersPlant-pathogenic bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas are able to produce the acidic exopolysaccharide xanthan gum. Because of its physical properties, it is widely used as a viscosifer, thickener, emulsifier or stabilizer in both food and non-food industries. Xanthan consists of pentasaccharide repeat units composed of D-glucosyl, D-mannosyl, and D-glucuronyl acid residues in a molar ratio of 2:2:1 and variable proportions of O-acetyl and pyruvyl residues. The xanthan polymer has a branched structure with a cellulose-like backbone. Synthesis originates from glucose as substrate for synthesis of the sugar nucleotides precursors UDP-glucose, UDP-glucuronate, and GDP-mannose that are required for building ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1566918 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:09:00 +0100 1566918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1566919&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F06%2Ftaxonomy-and-biodiversity-of.html from Henrik Christensen and Magne Bisgaard in Pasteurellaceae: Biology, Genomics and Molecular AspectsThe family Pasteurellaceae Pohl 1981 includes 38 properly classified species in addition to 24 misclassified species. The majority of taxa have been isolated from disease conditions in warm blooded animals and in particular in farm animals. These bacteria are obligate parasites or commensals of vertebrates, colonizing mainly the mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract, oropharynx, and reproductive tracts and possibly also parts of the intestinal tract. Most taxa represent potential pathogens although mechanisms of virulence have remained unknown or doubtful until recent years. Both systemic and local infections have been reported for most taxa involved in diseases. However, pneumon... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1566919 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:28:00 +0100 1566919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1566922&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F06%2Fcyanobacteria-and-earth-history.html The biochemical capacity to use water as the source for electrons in photosynthesis evolved once, in a common ancestor of extant cyanobacteria. The geological record indicates that this transforming event took place early in our planet's history, at least 2450-2320 million years ago (Ma), and possibly much earlier. Geobiological interpretation of Archean (>2500 Ma) sedimentary rocks remains a challenge; available evidence indicates that life existed 3500 Ma, but the question of when oxygenic photosynthesis evolved continues to engender debate and research. A clear paleontological window on cyanobacterial evolution opened about 2000 Ma, revealing an already diverse biota of blue-greens. Cyanobacteria remained principal primary producers throughout the Proterozoic Eon (2500-543 Ma), in part ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1566922 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:47:00 +0100 1566922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1566925&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F05%2Fbacillus-subtilis-book-review.html The Quarterly Review of Biology (2008, 83:117) has published a very positive review of a recent book Bacillus: Cellular and Molecular Biology. An extract follows:"The quality of the chapters is uniformly high. Together they provide a review of significant progress toward a better and deeper understanding of the physical structure and molecular biological organization and function in Bacillus subtilis. As a consequence, a truly intimate grasp of this bacterium is achieved"Further reading: Bacillus: Cellular and Molecular BiologyFull range of books on microbiology at Microbiology Books (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1566925 Fri, 30 May 2008 11:00:00 +0100 1566925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1566926&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F05%2Fstaphylococcus-book-review.html The Journal of Microbiological Mehods (2008) has published a review of the new Staphylococcus book. An extract is provided below:Whereas previous books on the molecular biology of the opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus used to cover the classical methodologies the timely book by Lindsay et al includes chapters on whole genome sequences, array technologies, the staphylococcal population structure, transciptomics and rapid diagnosis in addition to the more traditional chapters on mobile genetic elements, genetic manipulation, regulation, resistance and environmentally induced responses. This renders the book unique in its kind and as complete as one should expect a modern book on bacterial molecular genetics to be. ... From the positive perspective: this is a book suitable fo... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1566926 Wed, 21 May 2008 10:46:00 +0100 1566926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1566929&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F05%2Fgene-traders-plasmids-in-plant_12.html from George W. Sundin and Jesús Murillo in Plant Pathogenic BacteriaThe concept of bacterial plasmids as gene traders is illustrative of the role of plasmids in horizontal gene transfer and specifically in the acquisition and distribution of sequences that enable rapid evolution. Plasmids are components of the horizontal gene pool and, as such, their genetic content is potentially accessible by a wide range of organisms. Most plasmids appear to ameliorate any potential negative effect on host fitness by encoding determinants of virulence and ecological fitness that can enhance adaptation to a specific niche or can influence niche expansion. The availability of multiple complete genome sequences of bacterial phytopathogens has shown the importance of horizontally-acquired gene sequences in... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1566929 Mon, 12 May 2008 13:31:00 +0100 1566929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1566935&cid=t_139490_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F04%2Fvibrio-cholerae.html , the causative agent of cholera belongs to a group of organisms whose natural habitats are the aquatic ecosystems. The strains that cause cholera epidemics have evolved from non-pathogenic progenitor strains by acquisition of virulence genes, and V. cholerae represents a paradigm for this evolutionary process.Genomics of Vibrio cholerae and its Evolution The 4.0 Mbp genome of N16961, an O1 serogroup, El Tor biotype, 7th pandemic strain of V. cholerae, is comprised of two circular chromosomes of unequal size that are predicted to encode a total of 3,885 genes. The genomic sequence of this representative strain has facilitated global experimental approaches that have furthered our understanding of the genetic and phenotypic diversity found within the species V. cholerae. Sequence data have ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1566935 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:25:00 +0100 1566935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1044138&cid=t_139490_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F188429924%2F … he has identified how two different kinds of Chlamydia can cause both coronary artery disease and miscarriages. Solving one mystery gave him clues that he needed to figure out the other. By focusing on the immune system mechanisms in Chlamydia infections, Azenabor has identified an important link in seemingly unrelated health problems. The result could be new treatments and prevention strategies for both heart disease and infertility. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a microbe that normally causes pneumonia and bronchitis, but it has long been associated with atherosclerosis, a cardiovascular disease also called “hardening of the arteries.” Huh? Chlamydia? Yes, when the macrophages’ cell walls are infected with the C. pneumoniae their usually tight cholesterol, which they ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1044138 Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:20:52 +0100 1044138