Conference alert: Food-borne Bacteria
September 16, 2009. Food Processing Stresses and Associated Genomics of Gram-negative Food-borne Bacteria
Dublin, Ireland
Further informationSuggested reading: Foodborne Pathogens: Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Microbiology resources
Microbiology JournalDescriptions, aims and scope of a wide range of journals in all areas of microbiology to help the microbiologist make decisions on the best microbiology journal for the submission of manuscripts and for research.
Microbiology ConferencesCurrent microbiology conferences, meetings, symposia, workshops and advanced courses.
Microbiology BooksCurrent and forthcoming high-level reference books on all aspects of microbiology.
Microbiology BlogCurrent microbiology news and views to help the busy scientist keep up-to-date on research, forthcoming conferences, hot research topics, high impact publications, and much more.
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Deciding on the most appropriate journal for your research paper can be a dilemma for all research microbiologists. Journals vary on which type of paper they accept. These can be primary research papers, short communications, review articles, mini-reviews, letters, etc. In addition papers vary on rapidity of publication, impact factor, acceptance of colour figures, and the presence or absence of page charges. Many journals now offer some form of "open access". Indeed some funding bodies now insist that papers are made available in a depository such as PubMed Central. Journals also vary in their "aims and scope" and it is important that you submit to an appropriate journal in order to have the best chance of acceptance.
The website
Microbiology Journal provides descriptions and summarys of a wide range of journals in all areas of microbiology to help the microbiologist make decisions on the best microbiology journal for the submission of manuscripts and for research.
Other sites of interest include:
Labels: journals, microbiology journals
The
microbiology journal guide aims is to help the busy microbiologist make decisions on the best microbiology journal for publishing research, submitting papers, keeping up with research, reading reviews, news, and comment on all areas of microbiology. Descriptions and summarys of over 100 journals in all areas of microbiology. A guide to academic
journals in the field of microbiology.
Recommended reading:
Labels: journals, microbiology journal, microbiology journals
"This is a good overview that will be of interest to scientists interested in
protein secretion as well as individuals studying bacterial pathogenesis ... The diagrams are very helpful in understanding how the bacteria control the process of secretion ... This well designed book will provide a clear understanding of how bacterial protein secretion occurs. These different mechanisms appear to be common in a variety of different bacteria and thus understanding of one system will assist in the study of various organisms."
from Doodys Book Review Service (2009)
Further reading:
Bacterial Secreted ProteinsMetagenomics: Theory, Methods and ApplicationsEnvironmental Molecular MicrobiologyABC Transporters in MicroorganismsPili and FlagellaBacterial PolysaccharidesMicrobial ToxinsBiopolymersLabels: protein secretion
Lactobacillus Molecular Biology: From Genomics to Probiotics
http://www.horizonpress.com/lactobacillus
"the chapters are edited competently and constitute outstanding independent reviews ... very informative and provides a comprehensive overview of the genus
Lactobacillus"
from Biospektrum (2009) 15: 348.
Further reading:
LactobacillusMetagenomics: Theory, Methods and ApplicationsEnvironmental Molecular MicrobiologyBacterial PolysaccharidesBacterial Secreted ProteinsBiopolymersLabels: lactic acid bacteria, lactobacilli, lactobacillus, probiotics
A new book on
Bacterial Polysaccharides has been published by
Caister Academic Press. The book covers current research and biotechnological applications. Taking an interdisciplinary view the authors examine bacterial polysaccharides from molecular biology, genome-, transcriptome- and proteome-wide perspectives, and include ecological aspects and systems biology approaches.
Bacterial Polysaccharides: Current Innovations and Future TrendsPublisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Matthias Ullrich
Publication date: June 2009 (available now)
ISBN: 978-1-904455-45-5
Topics include:
* The Polysaccharide Peptidoglycan and How it is Influenced by (Antibiotic) Stress
* Genetics and Regulation of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide Synthesis
* Mycobacterial Cell Wall Arabinogalactang
* Genetics and Regulation of Bacterial Polysaccharide Expression in Human Pathogenic Bacteria
* Therapies Directed at Pseudomonas aeruginosa Polysaccharides
* Immune Responses to Microbial Polysaccharides
* Polysaccharides of Gram-negative Periodontopathic Bacteria
* Bacterial Polysaccharides in Dental Plaque
* Composition and Functional Role of Polysaccharides in Biofilm Infections
* Poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine as a Mediator of Bacterial Biofilm Formation
* Surface Polysaccharides as Fitness factors of Rhizospheric Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria
* Levansucrase and Levan Formation in Pseudomonas syringae and Related Organisms
* Structure, Biosynthesis, and Regulation of Capsular Exopolysaccharide of Erwinia
* Osmoregulated Periplasmic Glucans (OPGs), Alginate, and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas syringae
* Ecology of Exopolysaccharide Formation by Lactic Acid Bacteria
* Biosynthesis and Chemical Composition of Exopolysaccharides Produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria
* Commercial Exploitation of Homo-exopolysaccharides in Non-dairy Food Systems
* Exploitation of Exopolysaccharides from Lactic Acid Bacteria
* Synthesis of Bacterial Polysaccharides as a Limiting Factor for Biofuel Production
Bacterial Polysaccharides: Current Innovations and Future TrendsCURRENT BOOKS OF INTEREST
Metagenomics: Theory, Methods and ApplicationsAspergillus: Molecular Biology and GenomicsEnvironmental Molecular MicrobiologyNeisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of PathogenesisFrontiers in Dengue Virus ResearchABC Transporters in MicroorganismsPili and FlagellaLab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and AnalysisLab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and MicrofluidicsBacterial PolysaccharidesMicrobial ToxinsAcanthamoebaBacterial Secreted ProteinsLactobacillusMycobacteriumReal-Time PCRClostridiaPlant Pathogenic BacteriaBiopolymersPlasmidsPasteurellaceaeVibrio choleraePathogenic FungiHelicobacter pyloriCorynebacteriaStaphylococcusLeishmaniaArchaeaLegionellaRNA and the Regulation of Gene ExpressionMolecular Oral MicrobiologyLabels: bacterial polysaccharides, biopolymers, polysaccharides
July 11 - 15, 2009. American Society for Virology 28th Annual Scientific Meeting
Vancouver, Canada
Further informationIncludes workshops, poster sessions, state-of-the-art lectures and symposia sessions. Keynote address by Stephen C. Harrison of the Harvard Medical School on "Structures of Viruses: Biological Strategies for Introducing Genetic Information Into Cells". Symposium I: Virus Evolution and Emerging Pathogens; Symposium II: Viral Entry, Exit and Intracellular Movement; Symposium III: Cell: Virus Interplay; Symposium IV: Acquired Immunity and Vaccines.
Suggested reading: Virology BooksLabels: American Society for Virology, ASV
The Role of Fermented Food in the Maintenance of Health
June 8, 2009. The Role of Fermented Food in the Maintenance of Health
Zilina, Slovakia
Further informationFermented foods are not only important sources of preserved nutrients but have also great potential in maintaining health and preventing diseases. Traditional fermented foods can serve as functional foods when eaten for specified health purposes, because of their content of one or more nutrients or non-nutrient substances which can confer health benefits.
Although already used for thousands of years in human nutrition it is today that the health promoting functionality of fermented foods becomes more and more in the focus of scientific and public interest. It is the purpose of the symposium to highlight the role and functionality of dali, kefir, yoghurt, cheese, miso, natto, tempeh, kimchi, sauerkraut, sourdough, bread drink, shubat, doenjang, gundruk, kombucha, ogi and other indigenous fermented foods and non-alcoholic fermented beverages.
Expert scientists and researchers will present there findings and visions about fermented foods as functional foods of the past, presence and future within the following areas: Lactic fermentation and health; Lactobacillus plantarum and human health; Kefir and yoghurt in health promotion; Bacillus-based fermented food and health; Non-dairy fermented foods and health; Vegetable-based fermented food as health influencer; Fermented non-alcoholic beverages; Novel fermented foods with health effect; Mechanisms of action; The future of fermented foods as functional foods.
Suggested reading: Lactobacillus Molecular Biology: From Genomics to ProbioticsLabels: fermented food, probiotics
An early
Legionnaires' disease epidemic affected residents of a large psychiatric hospital (St. Elizabeth's) in Washington, DC, USA. The hospital housed about 6000 patients in multiple buildings on a 350 acre (1.4 km2) campus.
In July to August 1965, at least 81 hospital patients developed pneumonia, 14 (17%) of whom died. Cephalosporin therapy was ineffective, but tetracycline plus streptomycin treatment appeared to have to some beneficial effect. Sleeping near open windows and having permission to walk on the hospital grounds were found to be the most significant risk factors for acquiring pneumonia. Soil excavation work for a lawn sprinkling system was causing very dusty conditions. A strong wind storm and summer rains occurred concurrent with the outbreak, which ended spontaneously, and contemporaneously with the cessation of the excavation work. A soil or dust borne pathogen was thought to be most likely. Extensive microbiological testing of lungs from dead patients and of the hospital environment, failed to reveal an aetiology for the epidemic.
However, analysis of stored serum specimens in 1977 showed that 19 of 26 patients tested seroconverted to
Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. Subsequent Legionnaires' disease epidemics have rarely implicated soil excavation, although disruptions of potable water systems and contamination of building plumbing systems during construction have been alternative explanations.
An interesting historical note is that the attempted assassin of US President Ronald Reagan is currently confined to this institution.
from Legionnaires Disease: History and Clinical Findings Further reading:
Legionella: Molecular MicrobiologyLabels: legionella, legionellosis, Legionnaires disease