from Wittwer CT and Farrar JS (2011) in PCR Troubleshooting and Optimization With 3 billion bases in the human genome, it is not easy to find and analyze the small sequence regions that confirm a genetic disorder, identify an oncogenic change or detect microbial infection. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provides this focus. Since its development 25 years ago, it has become the most important tool for working with nucleic acids in molecular biology and clinical diagnostics. It deserves such central recognition because of its simplicity. read more ...

The Indigenous Human Microbiota from Adam M. Nelson and Vincent B. Young writing in Emerging Trends in Antibacterial Discovery: Answering the Call to Arms : Recent technological advances have expanded the tools available for study of the indigenous human microbiota. One of the early limitations in this field was the difficulty in recovering most residents of the community via standard culture-based methods. Many residents of the flora are anaerobic or microoxic, require specific nutrients, or are dependant on microbe-microbe/microbe-host read more ...

The Molecular Mechanisms of Mammalian X Inactivation from Marnie E. Blewitt and Linden J. Gearing writing in Epigenetics: A Reference Manual : X chromosome inactivation is the method of dosage compensation that has evolved to equalise expression of X-linked genes between female (XX) and male (XY) mammals. In somatic cells only one X chromosome is active; the second X in female cells is silenced early during embryonic development, a process that involves the co-ordination of multiple levels of epigenetic regulation to ensure stable read more ...

The Nitrogen Cycle in the Archaean: An Intricate Interplay of Enzymatic and Abiotic Reactions from Robert van Lis, Anne-Lise Ducluzeau, Wolfgang Nitschke and Barbara Schoepp-Cothenet writing in Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria: Molecular Analysis : On modern planet Earth, a multitude of nitrogen cycle enzymes equilibrate the atmospheric reservoir of dinitrogen with the more oxidized and more reduced nitrogen compounds essential for life. The respective enzymes are elaborate entities and the reactions performed are complicated and in cases read more ...

The Parainfluenza Virus Simian Virus 5 from Griffith D. Parks, Mary J. Manuse, and John B. Johnson writing in The Biology of Paramyxoviruses : Many of the fundamental properties of paramyxovirus biology are founded on studies of the prototype negative strand RNA virus Simian Virus 5 (SV5). This includes the basic understanding of the structure of the paramyxovirus particle, as well as the structure and function of the viral hemagglutinin-neuraminidase attachment protein and viral fusion protein. The discovery of the unique mechanism by which read more ...

The Redox Complexes of the Nitrogen Cycle from David Richardson writing in Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria: Molecular Analysis : The redox reactions of the nitrogen cycle comprise a large number of oxidative and reductive reactions that are catalysed by wide variety of enzymes with different catalytic centres. These enzymes are frequently organised as multi-protein complexes and in some recently emerging cases enzymes catalysing different reactions of the N-cycle appear to form super-complexes. This review will survey some of these N-cycle read more ...

Therapeutic Applications of Phage Biology: History, Practice and Recommendations from Jason Gill and Ryland F. Young III writing in Emerging Trends in Antibacterial Discovery: Answering the Call to Arms : A bacteriophage, or "phage", is a virus that infects bacteria. This chapter is aimed at assessing the record and potential of the use of phage and phage-derived molecules in antibacterial therapeutics and prophylactics. Unlike other areas of current biomedicine, phage therapy has a long history that pre-dates even the basics of modern read more ...

from Hany M. Elsheikha writing in Essentials of Veterinary Parasitology : Ticks are giant acarids (phylum Arthropoda), which have a major veterinary and public health impact. They represent an obstacle in economic growth especially in developing countries. Due to their feeding behaviour ticks inflict considerable physical damage and irritation which disrupt the foraging of livestock, thereby reducing productivity and fitness, and lowering defences against other diseases (e.g. tick-borne fever predisposes lambs to tick pyaemia). Wounds read more ...

I am pleased to provide the following excerpt from a book review of Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects : "... highly regarded authors ... an up-to-date analysis of various aspects of bifidobacterial biology that is well-written, informative and uses high-quality graphics ... aspects like probiotic traits, safety, physiology and ecology are covered ... the editors and authors should be congratulated on their approach and the finished work." from Glenn Gibson (University of Reading, UK) writing in Microbiology read more ...

I am pleased to provide the following excerpt from a book review of Iron Uptake and Homeostasis in Microorganisms : "... written by undoubted specialists in the field of the iron biology of micro-organisms ... well-written, comprehensive and, for a book of this type, contemporary. The contribution by Mark O'Brian and Elena Fabiano on iron uptake in the rhizobia was, I thought, especially well done" from Andrew Johnston (University of East Anglia, UK) writing in Microbiology read more ...

I am pleased to provide the following excerpt from a book review of Molecular Phylogeny of Microorganisms : "This book provides a timely assessment of current concepts in the molecular phylogeny of microbes since the foundations based on ribosomal RNA genes were described by Carl Woese more than 30 years ago ... I found this book to very informative both in defining the terms used by the authors, introducing each subject and also in providing good well-referenced reviews ... I found this book to be a mine of useful information and it gives read more ...

Transport and Assimilation of Inorganic Nitrogen in Bacteria from Conrado Moreno-Vivián, Víctor M. Luque-Almagro, Purificación Cabello, M. Dolores Roldán and Francisco Castillo writing in Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria: Molecular Analysis : The incorporation of inorganic nitrogen into cell material is known as nitrogen assimilation. Usually, ammonium is the preferred inorganic nitrogen source for microorganisms. Ammonium assimilation requires the transport of this ion into the cells and its further incorporation read more ...

from Borislav Vladimirov writing in Helicobacter pylori : Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection remains a significant clinical problem despite the extensive research on the topic over the last 25 years. For H. pylori eradication, combined regimens of non-antibiotic (bismuth compounds and/or proton pump inhibitors) and usually two antibiotics are used. The antibiotic choice may involve amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, rifabutin and furazolidone. A number of factors such as duration of treatment, read more ...

from Kazuhide Onoguchi, Kiyohiro Takahasi, Mitsutoshi Yoneyama, and Takashi Fujita writing in Viruses and Interferon: Current Research : Type I interferon (IFN) is produced in variety of tissues in the body. It has been known that viral infection efficiently induces type I IFN. Bacterial endotoxin and double stranded (ds) RNA are representative non-viral inducers. Recent works revealed that cellular receptors for Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) are responsible for triggering IFN production. In the case of virus infection, RNA read more ...

from Srikanth Chiliveru and Søren R. Paludan writing in Viruses and Interferon: Current Research : Virus infections stimulate host immune responses characterized by production of interferons (IFNs). The identification of IFN-λ (alternatively termed interleukin 28A/B, -29 or type III IFNs) has revealed that the immune response to viruses has more components than the type I IFNs known for more than 50 years. IFN-λs are known to have type-I-IFN-like biological activities, but our understanding of these novel players in the read more ...

from Ivan Mitov writing in Helicobacter pylori : An effective vaccine is needed to improve the success of anti- H. pylori therapy. Cooperative action of cell-mediated, humoral and molecular responses is necessary for effective protection against H. pylori. Vaccines against H. pylori can be used as prophylactic vaccines to prevent the infection or as therapeutic vaccines to cure the infection, to improve the eradication success of standard regimens or reduce the bacterial density in the gastric mucosa and the risk for emergence of antibiotic read more ...

October 2 - 7, 2011 Synthetic Biology of Antibiotic Production Sant Feliu de Guixols, Spain Further information The European Science Foundation (ESF) in partnership with EMBO is organising this conference on Synthetic Biology of Antibiotic Production. This conference will focus on the advancement of synthetic biology, especially its application in the field of antibiotic production in filamentous fungi and actinomycete bacteria, including the implementation and modification of complex biosynthesis pathway modules in existing and new read more ...

Variant Histones H2A and Cancer Development from Danny Rangasamy writing in Epigenetics: A Reference Manual : The histone variants of the H2A family are highly conserved in mammals, playing critical roles in regulating many nuclear processes by altering chromatin structure. One of the key H2A variants, H2A.X, marks DNA damage, facilitating the recruitment of DNA repair proteins to restore genomic integrity. Another variant, H2A.Z, plays an important role in both gene activation and repression. A high level of H2A.Z expression is ubiquitously read more ...

Viral metagenomics and the regulation of prokaryotic communities from Fernando Santos and Josefa Antón writing in Metagenomics: Current Innovations and Future Trends : Since the publication of the first genomic analysis of a marine uncultured viral community in 2002, the analysis of the viral metagenomes from a wide variety of natural environments has provided a wealth of information on the diversity, abundance and metabolic capabilities of viruses. Here, we summarize how such studies have shed light into the control than viruses read more ...

from Marisela Rodriguez, Jessica A. Campbell and Deborah J. Lenschow writing in Viruses and Interferon: Current Research : The type I interferon (IFN) system plays a critical role in limiting the spread of viral infection. Viruses induce the production of IFN-α and ¹Äìβ, which bind to the IFN-α/ β receptor (IFNAR) and trigger the JAK/STAT signaling cascade. The ensuing induction of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) inhibits viral replication by targeting multiple points in the viral life cycle. ISGs exert their antiviral read more ...

MiCom2011 will be a conference on the topic of microbial communication and proceeds the great success of MiCom2010. The conference will focus on many aspects of microbial communication and covers actual themes on the fields therein combined with state of the arts techniques. MiCom2011 is a conference organized by students, for students and supported by the Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC). It is our ambition to create a fruitful framework for scientific discussions and presentations for young researchers and renowned scientists. read more ...

from Hany M. Elsheikha, Steven McOrist and Timothy G. Geary writing in Essentials of Veterinary Parasitology : Parasites such as nematodes and mites can be debilitating and deadly inhabitants of an animal's body. While some parasitic infections can be controlled effectively by preventive biosecurity, vaccines or other non-pharmaceutical intervention measures, for many parasites, these measures are not available, have a limited effect, or cannot be applied in practical settings. Antiparasitic drugs are the commonly-applied pharmaceutical read more ...

I am pleased to provide the following excerpt from a book review of PCR Troubleshooting and Optimization: The Essential Guide : "The book provides a comprehensive selection of the most recently developed applications for PCR use ... This is an essential book for investigators using PCR technology. The PCR-related topics will be of interest to most, if not all, investigators engaged in research that uses this important technique ... a well-balanced book on the many potential uses of this powerful technique. It also provides a number of updated read more ...

from Naoyuki Yamamoto writing in Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bifidobacteria: Current Progress in Advanced Research : Many studies have suggested milk fermented with lactic acid bacteria has beneficial effects on the health status of animals and humans. This paper reviews the potential of antihypertensive peptides in milk fermented with lactic acid bacteria. Most of the antihypertensive effects of these peptides can be explained by their inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme. Well characterized antihypertensive peptides released by read more ...