Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists
Microbiology news and views to help the busy scientist keep up-to-date on current research, forthcoming conferences, hot research topics, high impact publications, and much more.
Homogenous Fluorescent Chemistries for Real-time PCR
from Martin A. Lee, David J. Squirrell, Dario L. Leslie and Tom Brown writing in Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications:
The development of fluorescent methods for the closed tube polymerase chain reaction has greatly simplified the process of quantification. Current approaches use fluorescent probes that interact with the amplification products during the PCR to allow kinetic measurements of product accumulation. These probe methods include generic approaches to DNA quantification such as fluorescent DNA binding dyes. There are also a number of strand-specific probes that use the phenomenon of Fluorescent Energy Transfer. In this chapter we describe these methods in detail, outline the principles of each process, and describe published examples. This text has been written to provide an impartial overview of the utility of different assays and to show how they may be used on various commercially available thermal cyclers.
Further reading: Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications
Bacterial Membranes
Written by specialists in the field, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the structural and molecular biology of cellular processes that occur at or near bacterial membranes. The authors present and discuss recent progress on the function and involvement of membranes in bacterial physiology enabling a greater understanding of the molecular details of the cell envelope, its biogenesis and function. Topics covered include: cell wall growth, shape and division, the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, outer membrane protein biosynthesis, bacterial lipoproteins, mycobacteria, lipid composition, ABC transporters, transport across the outer membrane, drug passage across membranes, bacterial membrane proteins, secretion systems, signal transduction, signalling mechanisms, bacterial membranes in adhesion and pathogenesis, and membranes as a drug target. This cutting-edge text will provide a valuable resource for all those working in this field and is recommended for all microbiology libraries read more ...
 | Edited by: Han Remaut and Rémi Fronzes read more ...ISBN: 978-1-908230-27-0 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: January 2014 Cover: hardback |
Immunological Strategies for the Prevention and Treatment of Prion Diseases
from Keiji Uchiyama and Suehiro Sakaguchi writing in Prions: Current Progress in Advanced Research:
Prion diseases, which include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in animals, are a group of incurable neurodegenerative disorders caused by proteinaceous infectious agents, the so-called prions. No preventative vaccines and therapeutics of prion diseases have been developed. Recent lines of evidence suggest that antibodies against prion protein might be beneficial for both preventing and treating prion disease. In this chapter, we first discuss the possibility that there might be many individuals who are latently infected with vCJD prions in human populations, and then introduce the so far reported immunological approaches for development of prion vaccines and immunotherapy against prion disease, including our recent work.
Further reading: Prions: Current Progress in Advanced Research
Inactivation of Prion and Endotoxins
from Hideharu Shintani and Gerald McDonnell writing in Prions: Current Progress in Advanced Research:
Several inactivation procedures to prion and endotoxins are reported so far. Most of these methods are not applicable to re-usable medical devices due to failure of achievement of material and functional compatibility. Gas plasma inactivation procedure for prion and endotoxin was studied and attain both sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10-6 and material and functional compatibility in ease.
Further reading: Prions: Current Progress in Advanced Research
Internal and Other Controls for Real-time PCR Validation
from Martin A. Lee, David J. Squirrell and Dario L. Leslie writing in Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications:
A range of factors can cause false negative results in real-time PCR through effects on one or more of the reaction components. Consequently applications requiring a high level of confidence need to be designed to control for the occurrence of false negatives. Whilst an external, or batch, control is often used, the ideal control is an internal one included in the reaction cocktail in a multiplex assay. Here we discuss the application and development of molecular mimics as controls in real-time PCR and explain concepts and experimental considerations to aid in the optimisation of controlled multiplexed assays.
Further reading: Real-Time PCR: Advanced Technologies and Applications
Real-Time PCR book available very soon
 | Edited by: Nick A. Saunders and Martin A. Lee ISBN: 978-1-908230-22-5 Publisher: Caister Academic Press Publication Date: July 2013 Cover: hardback |