The genus Borrelia, in the spirochete phylum, is not closely related to any other bacteria and has a highly unusual genome composed of a linear chromosome and multiple circular and linear plasmids that appear to be in a constant state of rearrangement, recombination, and deletion.

The determination of the genome sequence of Borrelia strains has facilitated tremendous advances in understanding this genus at the molecular and cellular level as well as the pathogenesis of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. In recent years there has been an explosion of new insights into the molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and ecology of Borrelia and its tick/vertebrate life cycle. This research is of particular importance as the incidence of Lyme borreliosis continues to increase.

References
Samuels, D.S. and Radolf, J.D. (2010) Borrelia: Molecular Biology, Host Interaction and Pathogenesis . Caister Academic Press, Norfolk, UK.

Lipps, G. (2008) Plasmids: Current Research and Future Trends. Caister Academic Press, Norfolk, UK.

Labels: B. burgdorferi, borrelia, Lyme borreliosis, Spirochete phylum

Borrelia: Molecular Biology, Host Interaction and Pathogenesis
Edited by: D. Scott Samuels and Justin D. Radolf
Published: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-904455-58-5

A comprehensive guide to Borrelia providing an encyclopedic overview of the molecular biology of this important genus and the pathogenesis of diseases Borellia causes. Leading authorities have contributed chapters on topics such as Borrelia genomics, DNA replication, gene regulation, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolism and physiology, cellular structure, motility and chemotaxis, genetic manipulation, evolutionary genetics, ecology, tick interactions, Lyme disease and relapsing fever pathogenesis, animal models, host response, detection, and vaccines

Further reading: Borrelia: Molecular Biology, Host Interaction and Pathogenesis

Labels: books, borrelia, new book