ABC Transporters in Microorganisms:
Research, Innovation and Value as Targets against Drug Resistance
Editor: Alicia Ponte-Sucre

A skillful selection of topics and a panel of acknowledged experts as authors ensure that this concise volume will be of exceptional importance to everyone involved in DNA superfamily research as well as scientists interested in microbial physiology and multidrug resistance.
This concise volume describes the latest, up-to-date theory, methodology and applications of ABC transporters in microorganisms. The topics include the structure, physiology and evolution of ABC transporters, as well as their special characteristics in specific microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, trypanosomes and malaria parasites. In particular the book describes the most recent research and innovations relative to the role of ABC transporters in the design of strategies to circumvent drug resistance in microorganisms. Each chapter comprises an exhaustive review of the particular topic and provides insights into the future of the field both from the scientific and clinical perspective.
Essential reading for anyone involved in this field and a recommended volume for all microbiology laboratories.

Further reading: ABC Transporters

Labels: ABC Transporters, drug resistance, multidrug resistance

Gram-negative bacteria are bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet dye in the Gram stain protocol. Gram-negative bacteria will thus appear red or pink following a Gram stain procedure due to the effects of the counterstain (for example safranin).

Gram-negative bacteria have a characteristic cell envelope structure very different from Gram-positive bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria have a cytoplasmic membrane, a thin peptidoglycan layer, and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide. There is a space between the cytoplasmic membrane and the outer membrane called the periplasmic space or periplasm. The periplasmic space contains the loose network of peptidoglycan chains referred to as the peptidoglycan layer.

The Gram negative cell envelope contains an additional outer membrane composed by phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides which face the external environment. The highly charged nature of lipopolysaccharides confer an overall negative charge to the Gram negative cell wall. The chemical structure of the outer membrane lipopolysaccharides of Gram-negative bacteria is often unique to specific bacterial strains and is responsible for many of the antigenic properties of these strains. Many species of Gram-negative bacteria are pathogenic, the pathogenicity often being associated with the lipopolysaccharide layer of the Gram-negative cell envelope.

• Acinetobacter
• Actinobacillus
• Bordetella
• Brucella
• Campylobacter
• Cyanobacteria
• Enterobacter
• Erwinia
• Escherichia coli
• Franciscella
• Helicobacter
• Hemophilus
• Klebsiella
• Legionella
• Moraxella
• Neisseria
• Pasteurella
• Proteus
• Pseudomonas
• Salmonella
• Serratia
• Shigella
• Treponema
• Vibrio
• Yersinia

Labels: Gram-negative bacteria

Plasmids: Current Research and Future Trends

"The editor presents eight reviews dealing with major areas in the research of plasmids. Each chapter ends with comprehensive references. Specialists as well as students receive an overview of the state of the art in plasmid research and receive ideas for progressing in their own research and education. ... All in all, this book written by leading practitioners in their specialty areas, is a core reference for students and research scientists in molecular biology and microbiology."

from Barbel Kiesel (Leipzig) in Eng. Life Sci. 2008, 8(4): 448

Further reading: Plasmids: Current Research and Future Trends

Labels: book review, plasmids

Archaea: New Models for Prokaryotic Biology

"This book compiles the essentials of archaea physiology and genetics ... and thus complements general textbooks on prokaryotic biology. ... Each chapter is concisely written and reviews the relevant up-to-date literature. A lot of information is given ... The book is highly recommended to researchers and lecturers in the field of microbiology as well as for academic libraries in life sciences."

from Sabine Kleinsteuber (Leipzig) in Eng. Life Sci. 2008, 8(4): 447-448

Further reading: Archaea: New Models for Prokaryotic Biology

Labels: archaea, book review

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-negative bacteria will thus appear red or pink following the Gram stain procedure due to the effects of the counterstain (for example safranin).

The cell envelope is defined as the cell membrane and cell wall plus an outer membrane, if one is present. The cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria contains an outer membrane composed by phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides which face the external environment. The lipopolysaccharides confer an overall negative charge to the Gram-negative cell wall. The chemical structure of the outer membrane lipopolysaccharides is often unique to specific bacterial strains. Many species of Gram-negative bacteria are pathogenic. This pathogenicity is often associated with the lipopolysaccharide layer of the Gram-negative cell envelope.

Gram-negative bacteria have a characteristic cell envelope structure very different from Gram-positive bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria have a cytoplasmic membrane, a thin peptidoglycan layer, and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide. There is a space between the cytoplasmic membrane and the outer membrane called the periplasmic space or periplasm. The periplasmic space contains the peptidoglycan.

Genera of Gram-negative bacteria include:

• Acinetobacter
• Actinobacillus
• Bordetella
• Brucella
• Campylobacter
• Cyanobacteria
• Enterobacter
• Erwinia
• Escherichia coli
• Franciscella
• Helicobacter
• Hemophilus
• Klebsiella
• Legionella
• Moraxella
• Neisseria
• Pasteurella
• Proteus
• Pseudomonas
• Salmonella
• Serratia
• Shigella
• Treponema
• Vibrio
• Yersinia

Labels: bacteria, bacteriology, bacterium, gram negative bacteria, gram stain

January 5 - 6, 2009. 4th Annual Recent Independent Virology Researchers' (RIVR) Meeting
Derby, UK Further information
An opportunity for those individuals just starting on their independent virology research career (i.e. new lecturer or independent research fellow) to get to meet and establish collaborations with other virology researchers who are at a similar stage in their career.
Suggested reading: Virology Books

March 1 - 6, 2009. Virus Discovery In The Clinical Setting
Cambridge, UK Further information
Suggested reading: Virology Books

March 20 - 24, 2009. 13th International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC, USA Further information
The 13th ISVHLD will commemorate progress made in the global fight against viral hepatitis and liver disease and focus the field's attention on the key future challenges.

April 1-3, 2009. Advances in Plant Virology
Harrogate, UK Further information

May 7 - 10, 2009. Viruses in May 2009
Katoomba - Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia Further information
Annual intensive clincial virology update for clinicians, scientists and trainees in this discipline.
Suggested reading: Virology Books

June 7 - 12, 2009 Viruses and Cells
Lucca (Barga), Italy Further information
Gordon Research Conference. The premier conference in the field of virology, will cover all aspects of virus infection, from entry into the cell through replication and assembly, to uncovering the molecular basis of pathogenesis, to prevention and therapy. Topics will include: entry and receptors; assembly, budding and release, dynamics of cellular trafficking, viral replication and gene expression, immune response and pathogenesis, cellular inhibition of virus replication; innate immune response and virus counter response; exploiting host functions, and epidemiology, prevention and therapy.
Suggested reading: Virology Books

June 21 - 25, 2009. 10th International Symposium on Double-Stranded RNA Viruses
Hamilton Island, QLD, Australia Further information
This is the tenth in a series of triennial meetings aimed at reviewing the progress and future directions in the field of double-stranded RNA viruses.
Suggested reading: Segmented Double-Stranded RNA Viruses: Structure and Molecular Biology

July 11 - 15, 2009. American Society for Virology 28th Annual Scientific Meeting
Vancouver, Canada Further information
Suggested reading: Virology Books

September 9 - 12, 2009. 5th Orthomyxovirus Research Conference
Freiburg, Germany Further information

September 22 - 27, 2009. XXIst Conference on Phage/Virus Assembly
Fondation Merieux, Centre les Pensieres, Annecy, France Further information
Suggested reading: Bacteriophage: Genetics and Molecular Biology

Any conference missing from this list? Please send details

Labels: conference, microbiology conference, virology, virology conference, virology meeting, virus conference, virus meeting

from Jens Walter (University of Nebraska) in Biotechnology Journal

"... an interesting blend of fundamental and applied topics relevant to the use of these important organisms in research and industry. Fundamental aspects covered in the book are taxonomy, metabolism, stress response, genomics, and surface proteins of lactobacilli. Also included are chapters on applications of Lactobacillus strains and their potential as probiotics in the treatment of diseases such as cancer or urinary tract infections.

... contributions from respected international scientists, many of which are leaders in their respective fields, this book constitutes an authoritative resource about both fundamental research and applications of lactobacilli. ... essential and up to date information for anyone interested in the biology of lactobacilli. The book will clearly be of interest to microbiologists, nutritionists, food scientists, and medical practitioners alike, and it is a valuable contribution to the probiotic literature."

Further reading: Lactobacillus

Labels: book review, lactic acid bacteria, lactobacilli, lactobacillus, probiotics

Two more microbiology conferences have been added to our list:

March 28 - 30, 2009 MSK 50th Anniversary International Symposium on Microbiology 2009
Jeju island, Korea Further information
The symposium will present and discuss cutting-edge research on basic and applied microbiology in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Microbiological Society of Korea (MSK)

September 13 - 16, 2009 6th International Conference on Tularemia 2009
Berlin, Germany Further information
Tularemia Network. A conference for the exchange of knowledge about tularemia and its causative agent Francisella tularensis and all aspects of applied and fundamental research

Further information: Microbiology Conferences

Labels: conference, Francisella tularensis, microbiology conference, microbiology meeting, Tularemia

from Saraswathi Lanka (University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine) writing in "Doodys Reviews":
"This broad overview of many aspects of the family Pasteurellaceae provides excellent coverage of the current status of taxonomy and phylogeny of this diverse group of bacteria. ... This is a much needed information resource for researchers. ... This is a rich source of information and provides well balanced coverage of relevant topics. It is a comprehensive guide that provides critical insight into the current understanding of molecular and genomic aspects of Pasteurellaceae" ... read more

Pasteurellaceae: Biology, Genomics and Molecular Aspects
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Edited by: Peter Kuhnert and Henrik Christensen
Publication date: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-904455-34-9

Labels: bacteria, bacteriology, book review, pasteurella, Pasteurellaceae

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the major component of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The LPS molecule is composed of two biosynthetic entities: the lipid A - core and the O-polysaccharide (O-antigen). Most biological effects of LPS are due to the lipid A part, however, there is an increasing body of evidence indicating that O-antigen (O-ag) plays an important role in effective colonization of host tissues, resistance to complement-mediated killing and in the resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides that are key elements of the innate immune system.

Recently, data has started to accumulate on the intricacies in the genetic regulation of the structural components of this molecule and this is highly relevant to the biological function of the molecule.

from Skurnik M and Bengoechea JA in Bacterial Polysaccharides: Current Innovations and Future Trends (2009) Ullrich M (Ed) Published by Caister Academic Press

Further reading: Bacterial Polysaccharides

Labels: gram negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide, LPS, pathogenesis, polysaccharides, regulation

"All of the chapters are well written, up to date and thoroughly referenced. There is also an extensive index. The book deals with the subject areas in depth and provides a wealth of information for the reader. It will be an important text for any clinician or researcher with an interest in oral microbiology." from Adam Roberts, UCL Eastman Dental Institute writting in the "ACM News" (2008) Issue 2: p18.

Molecular Oral Microbiology
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Edited by: Anthony H. Rogers
Publication date: February 2008
ISBN: 978-1-904455-24-0

Further reading: Oral Microbiology

Labels: book review, oral microbiology

"The book is up to date and extensively referenced. The editors have sought contributions from renowned researchers in this field and the book would be a valuable source of information for scientists entering this field." from Heather Aird, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust writting in the "ACM News" (2008) Issue 2: p17.

Legionella: Molecular Microbiology
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Edited by: Klaus Heuner and Michele Swanson
Publication date: March 2008
ISBN: 978-1-904455-26-4

Further reading: Legionella

Labels: book review, legionella

"... the contents of this book will appeal to the many researchers and clinicians interested in the molecular genetics of this interesting group of bacteria. ... This book is easy to read and well referenced and should appeal to those researchers and clinical staff working in this interesting field." from Derren Ready, Eastman Dental Hospital, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust writting in the "ACM News" (2008) Issue 2: p19.

Staphylococcus: Molecular Genetics
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Edited by: Jodi Lindsay
Publication date: May 2008
ISBN: 978-1-904455-29-5
http://www.horizonpress.com/staph

Further reading: Staphylococcus

Labels: book review, Staphylococcus

March 5 - 6, 2009. Ecology of Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Oslo, Norway Further information
Pathogenic Escherichia coli Network International Conference. The conference aims to increase understanding of the role of the environment and environmental factors in the survival, persistence and transmission of pathogenic Escherichia coli. Topics to be covered include: Gut Ecology, Phages, Survival and persistence, Stress response and adaption.

September 17 - 18, 2009. Control and Management of Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Dublin, Ireland Further information
Pathogenic Escherichia coli Network International Conference.

Labels: conference, Escherichia coli, pathogen, pathogenic

One of the most important recent innovations in Clinical Microbiology is the introduction of molecular methods for the diagnosis of microbial infection. The use of real-time PCR assays in the clinical microbiology laboratory has led to significant improvements in the diagnosis of infectious disease. Real-time PCR is particularly useful for the detection of slow growing or difficult to grow
infectious agents and also for the quantitation of specific organisms in samples.

Andrew Sails has written a comprehensive review on the clinical applications of Real-Time PCR in the clinical microbiology laboratory. A recently published book review described his chapter as follows: "The most comprehensive chapter is Chapter 13 Application in Clinical Microbiology, in which large numbers of microorganisms are mentioned that can be readily identified by RT-PCR." Read more of this book review at Curr. Iss. Mol. Biol.

Further reading:

• Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and Applications
• Real-Time PCR in Microbiology: From Diagnosis to Characterization

Labels: book review, diagnosis, PCR, real-time PCR

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent natural toxins known. The family of BoNTs comprises seven antigenically distinct serotypes (A to G) that are produced by various toxigenic strains of spore-forming anaerobic Clostridium botulinum. They act as metalloproteinases that enter peripheral cholinergic nerve terminals and cleave proteins that are crucial components of the neuroexocytosis apparatus, causing a persistent but reversible inhibition of neurotransmitter release resulting in flaccid muscle paralysis.

Apart from being the sole causative agent of the deadly food poisoning disease, botulism, BoNTs pose a major biological warfare threat due to their extreme toxicity and easy production. Interestingly they also serve as powerful tools to treat an ever expanding list of medical conditions. A better understanding of the structure-function relationship of clostridial neurotoxins will not only help decipher their molecular mode of action but will also provide a greater understanding of the potential use of their individual domains in answering more fundamental questions of neuroexocytosis. It is also critical for designing effective specific inhibitors to counter botulism biothreat, and for the development of new therapeutics.

from Kukreja and Singh in Microbial Toxins: Current Research and Future Trends

Further reading:

1. Microbial Toxins
2. Clostridia: Molecular Biology in the Post-genomic Era

Labels: bacteria, biodefense, botulism, clostridia, clostridium, toxin, toxins

Cyanobacteria possess a CO₂ concentrating mechanism that enables them to accumulate CO₂ from the environment. Cyanobacteria are able to fix CO₂ into carbohydrates.

Cyanobacteria vary considerably in their ability to consume organic carbon from their surroundings. Many strains are obligate photoautotrophs where the sole carbon source is CO₂, while others are able to perform photomixotrophic or even heterotrophic growth using a wide variety of organic substances. Cyanobacteria constitute a unique case where the anabolic and catabolic carbohydrate metabolisms function in the same cellular compartment. In addition, the photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport pathways share components in the thylakoid membranes. Despite its importance to our understanding of cyanobacterial metabolism, little is known about the mechanisms involved in the shifts between photoautotrophic, heterotrophic and photomixotrophic modes of growth, and their regulation; between the different pathways of carbohydrate breakdown—glycolysis, fermentation, the oxidative pentose phosphate, the Krebs cycle and the photorespiratory pathways. However recent advances have been made in our understanding of the CO₂ concentrating mechanism and carbon metabolism in cyanobacteria.

from Kaplan et al in The Cyanobacteria: Molecular Biology, Genomics and Evolution

Further reading:

1. The Cyanobacteria: Molecular Biology, Genomics and Evolution
2. Microbiology Books

Labels: carbon dioxide, cyanobacteria, environment, metabolism